THE THOMS SUNDAY TRAVEL SECTION.
Then I began thinking about how long it has been since visiting… 20 years this month.
Patmos is not as famous as other Greek destinations, with temples and Acropolis dating back 3000+ years.
In fact, there is little of ancient Greece to see.
During Roman times, it was a place where they would send exiles.
It was one of these exiles who put Patmos on the map.
Anno Domini “In the Year of the Lord.”
A.D. does not mean “After Death.” Instead, it begins with the approximate birth year of Jesus Christ. (After delivery?)
The Roman emperor Domitian, ruling from 81–96 A.D., was not a nice guy. He would exile John of Patmos to the island circa 95 A.D. for preaching about Christianity in Rome.
John of Patmos, A.K.A. John the Evangelist, A.K.A. the apostle St John, are possibly the same person. It is certainly open for “discussion.”
During his fifteen years on the island, John hears a great voice and receives visions of the Revelation. Possibly while living in a cave on the island.
More than 1900 years have come and gone since that time. The Roman Empire will accept Christianity as their religion circa 323. In more recent years, The Greek Government names Patmos a Holy Island, and UNESCO adds it to its 1999 list.
Faith and belief play a major part in religious sites.
Unfortunately, there was no newspaper jotting down the story, and phones with cameras were still a few centuries away.
In no way am I questioning anyone’s religion, but do we know all the facts?
Some believe most of the books of the New Testament were originally written in Greek. This is because it was the language of commerce during that period. Many Jewish inscriptions from the same time are in Greek.
Most theologians believe the book of Revelation comes from the island of Patmos. Therefore, whether you are Christian or not, whether it was written in a cave or outside, you should visit Patmos.
Why Visit Patmos?
If we only look at the UNESCO listing, it covers The Historical Centre (Chora) with the Monastery of Saint-John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse. Those three sites are enough to fill a day. So let’s start there.
The Chora (Upper Town.)
The upper town, Chora, contains many religious and secular buildings. It is one of the oldest and best-preserved Choras in the Aegean. The town contains many buildings, dating from the 17th and 18th centuries and a few from earlier.
Monastery of Saint John the Theologian.
This Greek Orthodox monastery also goes by Monastery of Saint John the Divine. The building began circa 1088 with the chapel. This UNESCO World Heritage site houses more than 300 manuscripts. 82 of those are manuscripts of the New Testament.
Inside the Monastery of Saint John is a small Ecclesiastical Museum.
Cave of the Apocalypse.
Below the Chora is a white-washed building housing the entrance to the cave. This grotto is possibly the spot where John of Patmos received his visions for the Book of Revelation. Standing outside, I can easily believe John walking on the same ground or sitting on that rock.
The Historic Chora.
A majority of the buildings date back to the 17th and 18th centuries. However, here and there, there are even older buildings.
Windmills of Chora.
East of Chora are two windmills dating from 1588 and a third from 1863. The windmills would eventually lose out to electricity but not before the 1950s. Today, one is a small milling museum, one produces electricity, and the other pumps water.
But what about the rest of Patmos? Everything that is not on the UNESCO listing.
Patmos Lower Town and Harbor.
Skala.
The lower town or harbor area is where you will find most accommodations, cafes, and shops. Outside of walking the narrow streets or along the harbor, there is not much to see in the Skala.
Visit Patmos Outside of Town.
Grikos.
A ten-minute drive south of Skala, this charming village offers some more upscale accommodations and a lovely beach.
Rock of Kalikatsou.
At the western end of Grikos Bay is this large rock (petra.) With numerous cave-like crevices, it is a source of several legends. For example, some say it once held the temple of Aphrodite.
Kampos Village.
Like Chora and Skala, Kambos consists of an upper village, Pano Kambos, and a lower, Kato Kambos. The lower is basically a beach, a few tavernas, and small accommodations.
Pano Kambos is the main village and is the center of an agriculture and farming community. Here you will find additional taverns, shops, and accommodations.
Church of Panagia tou Geranou.
East of Kampos, towards the tip of the island, is this small church. Excavations point to the present-day church sitting on an earlier church and possibly a pagan temple.
Visit Patmos’ Beaches.
There are no super beach clubs on Patmos. And this is O.K. There are several nice beaches, many with cafes nearby.
Paralia Petra Beach.
This rocky beach, adjacent to the Rock of Kalikatsou, is good for swimming and relaxing. There are sunbeds and umbrellas for rent.
Paralia Kampos.
The main beach in Kampos is also a popular one. There are ample chairs and umbrellas for rent, as well as several cafes nearby.
Paralia Vagia.
One bay east of Kampos is this rocky, sandy beach with no services or shade. It is the opposite of Kampos.
There are several other small beaches around the island. Unfortunately, most of them have little to no services.
So Why Visit Patmos?
If you read my Sunday Travel blogs enough, you know I love a UNESCO site.
And on Patmos, you get three in one. That would be silly to pass up.
Whether you are religious or not, visiting a place of faith and spirituality can affect your soul.
I have been to the Western Wall in Jerusalem and Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee. Although I am not Jewish, both had an incredible effect on me.
I am not Islamic, yet I have been to the Mosques of Istanbul, Cairo, and other Islamic cities.
Kashi (modern-day Varanasi), one of the seven holiest Hindu cities, is on my “wish” list.
I’m not Catholic, but I visit the Vatican probably every third time I am in Rome.
Visit Patmos.
If you can, try to visit the UNESCO sites on non-cruise ship days. Or in the afternoon, when the heat chases many pilgrims back to their air-conditioned lodgings. Then, see the Chora in the evening, when it is cooler.
Very few cruise guests ever make it outside the town. Visit the villages or find a less popular beach.
Sunsets and dinner are the main evening entertainment. You may find a taverna with some music but not the super nightclubs of other islands. This is not a bad thing.
Visit Patmos and see what it reveals to you.
Want to read more about Patmos? Click here.
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Then, please comment or tell me your thoughts on:
“What did you learn about Patmos?
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“See the World” Continued on Page T3. “Taste the World” Continued on T11.
Charming as ever, and another reason to keep Greece on my bucket list.
Fascinating history lesson on the Christian influences in Patmos – walking those grounds must be awe inspiring. Beautiful windmills as well!
I did not know that John was on the island for 15 years and that it was over 200 years until the Romans would adopt Christianity as their official religion. That is a long time to keep the faith. I also did not know that there were 3 UNESCO sites on the island. Just more reasons to go back and linger on this charming Greek treasure.