PATMOS
Vacations and Sightseeing
Vacations and Sightseeing
| Basic information | |
| Official language | Greek |
| Capital | Chora |
| Area | 34 km² |
| Population | 2,832 (2021) |
| Currency | euro (EUR) |
| Web | .gr |
| Code. | GRC |
| Tel. | +30 |
Popular destinations GREECE
| Aegina | Alonissos | Andros |
| Chios | Corfu | Crete |
| Hydra | Kalymnos | Karpathos |
| Kefalonia | Kos | Lefkas |
| Lesbos | Mykonos | Naxos |
| Paros | Patmos | Peloponnese |
| Poros | Rhodes | Samos |
| Santorini | Skiathos | Skopelos |
| Spetses | Thasos | Zakynthos |
Vacations and Sightseeing
The major attraction on the island of Patmos is the Orthodox Monastery of St. John the Evangelist (or Theologian or Apostle), listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monastery is built on the top of Kastelia hill above Chora, and is one of the most important religious centres in Greece. It looks like a fortress, but inside there is a monastery, built on the site of an ancient temple. There is a small museum with all the treasures of the monastery, including valuable icons, church ornaments, embroidery, beautiful icons and clothes of priests.
On the way to this monastery from the port, you pass the Cave of the Revelation or the Apocalypse, also on the UNESCO World Heritage List. According to tradition, this is where the Apostle John wrote the book of Revelation, inspired by God himself. In 1973, frescoes from the 12th century were discovered here. Built over the cave is the Monastery of the Apocalypse.
The quiet town of Chora, with its white houses, monasteries, churches and chapels, is the main tourist resort on the island. Chora, which has largely preserved its traditional 16th and 17th century architecture, is the ancient capital of Patmos, high above Skala and dominated by the monastery. Walking through Chora, you will see old mansions, some former houses of the rich merchants and the white houses. Many houses have a Byzantine cross above their doors. The narrow streets of Chora form a labyrinth with gates and many small churches.
The Simantiri House, a mansion or 'archontikó, houses the Ethnographic Museum, built in 1625 by the wealthy merchant Aglaïnós Mousodakis.
Patmos has some beautiful beaches, sometimes very remote and quiet. Patmos is mainly a day-trip destination. When the boats have left, the island is back to the residents and the few tourists who choose to stay longer. The main resort on Patmos is Grikos, the best (sandy) beach is on the southwest coast and is called Psili Ammos. Kampos, in the north, is a great beach for water sports enthusiasts. Crowded pebble beaches in the north are Vagia Geranou, Livadi and Lambi, which is known for its multi-coloured pebbles. Other beaches are Agriolivadi, Alikes, Diakofti, Lefkes, Loukakia, Meloi, Petra and Skala Beach.
Sources
Wikipedia
CIA - World Factbook
BBC - Country Profiles
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