Patmos

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Patmos (Greek Πάτμος ( f sg ) ) is a Greek island, which belongs geographically to the Southern Sporades and politically to the island of the Dodecanese group in the eastern Aegean Sea. Along with several uninhabited islets, it forms a municipality (Greek dimos δήμος ) in the region South Aegean. The island is 34.14 km ² and rather hilly than mountainous, the highest peak reaches 269 m. The vegetation is very sparse, there are hardly any trees, only the typical Phrygana covered the land. Patmos has about 3,047 inhabitants. (2011)

Despite its small size Patmos is one of the more important islands of the Aegean: Presumed Schöpfungsort the Book of Revelation it is the site of one of the most important monasteries of the Greek Orthodox Church and is connected by several high-traffic, ferry lines with the rest of Greece. Patmos is considered, Holy Island ' and is the annual target of several major pilgrimages Orthodox Christian believers, for example, at Easter. This steady stream of visitors the ferry were also developed early, and so Patmos was able to participate despite the lack of airport at the tourist development of the Greek islands, without having to experience the excesses of a forced mass tourism.

Towns

Scale

In a wide bay, as an ideal natural harbor lies the port of the island, here are concentrated tourist accommodation and commercial businesses. In the older buildings on the waterfront, there are Venetian elements. Due to the high frequency of viable and gender ferries a bustling atmosphere surrounding the place. During the Italian occupation of the island was scale location of post office, customs office and the military administration. Through this economic and political factors has been the site - formerly only stairs (Greek Σκάλα ) to the monastery - the secular capital of the island.

Chora

The island's main village was dotted around the John's Monastery in the 12th century. The winding streets and houses give you more than Dodecanese Cycladic atmosphere.

Petra and Grikos

In the south of Patmos extends a bay which is protected by a barrier smaller island. Within this bay is a 20 m high rock, which was later used in early antiquity most likely as a ceremonial site, by pirates rises. The rock is completely covered with hewn steps and cavities. On the top of a cistern is to be found, which is still functioning today. In this bay opens a valley which still houses the original vegetation and a year-round water-bearing stream. Its source is surrounded by a tiny chapel where, according to tradition, the first people to be baptized, which have since called themselves Christians. The chapel is located halfway on the road between Grikos and Chora.

The upstream Grikos village is a settlement that emerged only since the Greek military dictatorship around the hotel Xenia and is focused towards tourism. The hotel itself was due to unexplained Xenia ownership empty for years and was abandoned decay and vandalism. The hotel was rebuilt, extended and opened as a luxury 5 star hotel renovated again in 2010.

Monastery of St. John

The monastery dedicated to Saint John was founded in 1088 by a monk, the Blessed Christodoulos, with the support of the Byzantine emperor Alexios I on the ruins of an ancient temple of Artemis. With its castle-like walls, it still dominates the appearance of Chora and the island. The Monastery of St. John, with its important library is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1999.

Patmos in Roman times was a place of exile, the author of the biblical book of Revelation wrote down by its own account (Rev 1.9 EU) here in exile his Apocalypse. Patmos is expressly mentioned in Revelation as the place of his visions. The John Cave is one of the most important shrines of the Greek Orthodox Church. They can be visited near the road from Skala to Chora.

Tourism and Transport

Patmos, despite its small size, a strong road network in largely good state of development, which leads to almost all of the numerous beach coves and attractions within a few meters. There are many car and scooter rentals, buses and taxis. Since the island was declared a national shrine, there is a difficulty in building permit process; therefore keeps the number of tourists that can be accommodated on the island, within limits. This is controlled by the administration aware that no " binge- tourism" comes up. Most beaches are practically undeveloped and not infrequently to offer only a single restaurant. However, there are large amounts of daily visitors and pilgrims. High season is from May to October.

Sandy beaches are to be found only on the south and east sides. In the north - especially in Lampi's Bay - there are the beaches of fascinating colorful stones to walnut size. The west side consists mainly of rugged cliffs.

Patmos is only accessible by boat. However, there is a helipad for the military and emergencies. The next of Germany seasonal airports served are on the islands of Samos and Kos. From the port of Kos, there are regular ferries to Patmos, between two ( catamaran) and four hours (car ferry) take.