Patmos, Sacred island in Dodecanese, Greece
This island in the Dodecanese covers 34 square kilometers and reaches a height of 269 meters at its highest point. The white houses of the main settlement Chora climb the slopes and surround the fortified monastery, while the port town of Skala stretches along the coast.
The Monastery of Saint John the Theologian arose in 1088 and transformed the island into a major religious center of the Orthodox world. The construction followed an imperial grant that transferred the land to the monk Christodoulos.
The Cave of the Apocalypse sits halfway between port and monastery, receiving pilgrims who visit the place where John received his visions. The walls still show the niche where the apostle rested and a triple fissure in the ceiling.
Ferries from Piraeus, Kos, and Rhodes connect the island year-round with other Greek ports, with crossings taking several hours depending on the starting point. Walking paths lead from Skala up to Chora and the cave, with the climb taking roughly 30 minutes.
The monastery library holds over 2,000 handwritten manuscripts and early printed works, including rare Byzantine texts. Visitors can view a portion of the collection in a dedicated museum within the monastery walls.
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