The island of Patmos constitutes one of the most important islands of the Dodecanese complex and this is because other than being a tourist center, at the same time it is a sacred worshipping area. Don't forget that it is the island of the Apocalypse and this proves the intense presence of the ecclesiastical art and architecture.
The sight seeing, worth visiting are naturally to basically include monasteries, which are the focal point of the visitors, if we exclude the cosmopolitan resorts of the cities of Chora and Skala. One thing is certain either with its exquisite beauty, or with the intense religious element, or with its holiday resorts, the island will enchant you and seduce you to discover it.
Chora
- It is one of the most idyllic landscapes of the island and is maybe the most striking "section" (Chora in Greek, means country, land, region) evident on a Greek island. Situated on a hill it imposingly overlooks the grandiose monastery of Apostle John, while the whole scenery is complimented by the white of the neoclassical buildings. A fantastic architectural composition that enchants and leaves its visitor speechless.
The whole scenery is completed with the graphical small alleys and the fantastic arches, each of which has its own name. Ingenious samples of traditional architecture, which contributed to the economic and social harmonization of the residents.
It is worthwhile to walk in these small alleys and to feel the vividness and nobility that emerge from them. The various neighborhoods in Chora will fascinate you with their simplicity and at the same time, with the glamour that sprouts out from every little corner. Looking on the west side of the Monastery you will have the chance to see various neighborhoods parading one after the other, Allotina, Laoura, Maggouri, Pezoula, Niochori, Elemonitria, Lornia, Kilimountra and Lotzia.
On the east side of the Monastery you will come across the neighborhood of Christ, the Fournous, Lakkakia, Girokomeio, Kritika, Misolotzia, Aporthiana, Prodromos and Milous. Totally 51 churches are located in the city of Chora, some of the most important being, the church of Agios Dimitrios from the 15th century, Panagia the Diasozousa from 1559, Panagia Koimitirion from 1592, Agia Kyriaki Natali and the Ipapandi from the 16th century, the Agioi Apostoloi of 1603, Agios Onoufios from 1611, Agios Georgios of Sifandou from 1636, Agia Anastasia and Christos of 1639, Agios Georgios of Pothas, Agia Aikaterini, Agios Georgrios of Fournous and Agioi Apostoloi Adelfosinis on the 17th century, Megali Panagia from 1783, Agios Nikolaos Alonaris from 1816 and Agia Irini , Agios Christophoros , the Agioi Taxiarhes and Panagia of Stavros.
There is also a women's monastery of Zoodohou Pigis, the monastery of Apostle John Theologos and in the southeast the monastery of Evangelismos. The monastery of Apostle John Theologos was built by the reverend father Christodoulos from Nikaia of Vithinia and belongs to the patriarchy of Constantinople . It stands imposingly on the peak of the mountain with its bell tower standing out and the height of the walls causes the admiration of the visitors.
The monastery was built over the ruins of the ancient temple of Artemis and thereafter on the ruins of the Grand Basilica church of Theologos . The building of the temple was very difficult since the task was very time consuming and required a lot of craftsmen and workmen. Christodoulos began the construction of the walls of the Monastery to protect the buildings that he was going to construct later. The entrance to the Monastery is located at the north walls between two rectangular towers and exactly on top of it there is a balcony without flouring which they used to call "the murderer" because they used to throw the conquerors into blazing hot oil and melted led in it.
Past the gate you come across the house of the janitor and following that is the internal courtyard with the main monk quarters, temple, and catholic, the 10 chapels, altar and cells. The courtyard is paved with gravel and is surrounded with bows that operate as supports to the buildings that are situated on the side.
South of the courtyard there is a Venetian bowed gallery and on the north side the gate is situated.On the west we come across the walls of the cells and on the east a domed gallery that constitutes the external narthex of the Catholic. The Catholic is comprised of the external, the internal narthex and the chapel of Theologos.
The present walls are not the originals, since from those times restorations, expansions, additions have been made to the small towers and ramparts for the best possible security. The height of the walls exceed 15 meters while the shape of the surrounding walls reminds you of an irregular rectangle, with a length of 71 meters starting from east towards the west and 52 meters from north to south. The sides of the walls and towers have various shapes.
The chapel of Osios Christodoulos with its marble sarcophagus and wooden shrine with the tabernacle of the Apostle John is located on the south side. The internal shrine leads to the main temple that has across like shape and dome. The very beautiful wooden carved icon screen from 1820 comprises a gift from Sardeon Nektarios, while the large icon of the Apocalypse from 1625 in the entrance of the vestry is a gift from Nikoforos of Laodikeia. The external vestry is used for the protection of books and utensils, while the internal vestry is used for the protection of relics of priceless value.
The south side of the temple you will find the chapel of Panagia, which communicates with the main temple with two doors. In the chapel you will see a fantastic wooden carved icon screen of 1607 and many icons from the 12th century.
Following that is the altar with an octagonal dome, which was used as the dining area by the monks during the years of commune living. On the walls there a many paintings from the 17th century while generally in this area there are ancient inscriptions and architectural sections.
The door on the south wall leads to the kitchen and right next to it there is the mill. Returning to the main courtyard a door ends up to a storage area, which was called Oreion, the bakery and kneading room. The whole architectural setting of the buildings are completed with the cells of the monks, the rooms, courtyards, staircases and tile covered domes.
The chapels that are located in the grounds are those of Agion Panton, Stavros of Tzafara, Agios Vasilios and Agios Nikolaos. Very important is the library of the monastery, which includes over 3000 rare books, 900 codes, and 1300 documents and a record room with over 13.000 documents which contain the history of the monastery is saved.
The most spectacular of all is the vestry of the Monastery, which contains relics of priceless value which are divided in four categories. One, the over 60 holy corpses and parts of the holy wood, second the over 200 icons, third the gold and silver holy utensils and forth more than 600 containers. The famous Pantmian School resides in the Monastery, which used to be the spiritual center of the island up until 1769 when the Patriachate renamed it to the "Public School of the Nation".
A great number of important personalities of the island were cultivated here, between them was the founder of Filiki Etairia, Emmanuel Xanthos. Especially during the years of the Turkish reign, the school contributed in the rebirth and the intellectual awakening of the Greek nation. A bit further down is the Town Hall and it operates as the administrative, spiritual and cultural center of the island. At the city of Chora there is no specific area that comprises the marketplace of the island, but there are various food stores spread out in various places. For accommodation you can rent a room, as there is no hotel accommodation.
On the east side of Chora the women's monastery of Zoodohou Pigi, which was founded in 1607 by Parthenios Pangostas is situated and devoted to Christ the Savior and his mother.
It comprises the second complex of buildings after the Monastery of Theologos and includes the church of Zoodohou Pigi , the church of Apostle John , the cells of the monks and their courtyards.
In the area of the gulf of Kipous on the west of Chora, the monastery of Evangelismos is located, which was built in 1613 by Nikiforos Xartofilax as a dedication to the Evangelist Loukas. In 1947 The nuns of the monastery founded an all girls orphanage of Rhodes and a school of handicrafts and sowing for the girls of the island.
Skala
The only harbor of the island which is surrounded by a narrow natural bay that with its neck shape divides the island almost in two. During the 17th century there were no buildings in the harbor only some warehouses and due to the raids of the pirates the residents lived in Chora. At the end of the 19th century the port changed appearance and was transformed to a rich commercial and shipping center that helped in the flourishing of the whole island.
During the Venetian domination the port was converted to an administrative center and many buildings of the Italian Guard, the post office, and customs office were built. With the joining of the island with motherland Greece , many beautiful neoclassical buildings that are used as homes and stores were built.
Especially in the last few decades tourism has transformed Scala to a tourist coastal resort. In the port there is a wide dock, a beautiful beach and on the west side you will find the picturesque bay of Hochlakas with its crystal clear deep blue Aegean waters.
The Cave of the Apocalypse
It is situated between Chora and Scala and it is said that this is there were Apostle John wrote the "Apocalypse". Surrounding the cave is a monastery were John used do live during the period of 95-97 A.C. The monastery in its whole constitutes of an architectural composition of disorderly built chapels of various heights and cylinder like roofs, their courtyards and the cells of the monks. The whole scenery though manages to fascinate its visitor with its simple and plain shaped buildings and its very beautiful blossoming courtyards.
On the road leading to the Holy Cave you will come across the chapel of Agios Nikolaos, of Agios Artemios and Agia Sofia. The Cave of the Apocalypse is 4 meters deep and a monk of the monastery that does the tour, will show you the Triassic rupture from were the voice that encouraged John to write the Apocalypse. You will find many small chapels at the furthermost locations, which are called Holy Grounds Some of which are the Holy Ground of Agion Asomaton built in 1150, Panagia Grava from 1810, Leivadi from 1960 and the holy ground of Apollos
Grigos or Grikos- Diakofti-Alikes- Profitis Ilias
Grikos is constituted of a picturesque coastal settlement located above the gulf named the same way and is located 4klms southeast of Scala. The name originates from the first country house that was built in the area thus comes the word country, or Grikos. The beautiful beach of Grikos is surrounded with trees and a dock while its waters are deep blue and crystal clear.
Across from Grikos is the small island of Tragonisi and on the south the sandy beach of Kalikatzous or Kallikatsou, which its name originates for the bird Kallikatsou or Falokorax. It is a majestic cape with a rock shaped like a cone at its edge and a cave with sculptured stairs.
Many support that this was the ancient temple of the goddess Aphrodite. At the foot of the rock there are foundations of the small church of Panagia . A little bit further down you come across a little gulf which is recommended for quite dips.
Going further south we come across the beach of Diakofti, more specifically it is an isthmus 200 meters in width, were in its one side you find the gulf of Petra and on the other side, the gulf of Stavros are located with their crystal clear waters and golden beaches.
We head on north from the Gulf of Stavros and we come across the village of Alikes . The name originates from the old production of salt in this area. The beach is fantastic and the view of the ever last blue of the sea is unique. Northwest from Diakofti you will come across the underscribably beautiful beach of Psili Ammo with the trees touching the sea. You can reach this beach by boat from Scala so you can have access to its most secluded and unapproachable parts of this fascinating beach. On the south part of Chora you will find the area of Sikamias with the Roman baths and the cave were Apostle John baptized the Christians.
Taking a direction towards the west you will meet the chapelProfitis Ilias, situated on the top of the highest hill of the island, offering you a unique view of the light blue of the sea and the white of the buildings.
The cave of Genoupa or Kinopa
Two names are attributed to this cave, Kinopas because it is said that Kinops the wizard lived in it and Genoupas from the hill in this area named the same way. The small chapel of Agios Giannis Spiliotis is situated in this cave.
Agriolivadi-Lefkes-Kambos- Agios Nikolaos
Starting from Scala and taking a direction towards the north, after approximately 10 minutes we come across the fascinating gulf of Agriolivadi with its settlement, its very beautiful beach and fantastic sea. Across the gulf is the small island of Agia Thekla , which you can visit by taking a small boat from the gulf of Agriolivadi or from the city Scala.
Kambos view
Returning to the main road and continuing further northwest you will find another beautiful cove of Lefkes. Wild uniquely beautiful beauty, made up of rocky slopes, a wonderful beach and traditional buildings with rental rooms. If you wish to rent a room in this area makes sure you have done so from Chora or Scala.
Again taking the main road and towards the north, at a distance of approximately 6 klm from the city of Scala you will come across the area of Kambos. The name is accredited to the fact that this area is the most fertile area of the island and is filled with greenery. It is the largest town after Chora and Scala in population and it is divided to upper and lower Kambos. At the settlement of Upper Kambos you will find the church of Evangelismos and it is also famous for its nightlife. The area of lower Kambos you will come across the beach by the same name, which is one of the most beautiful and the most organized beach on the island and is the center of attention of both locals and foreign visitors. You can reach this beach with little boats from the city of Scala , there are frequent schedules and the duration of the trip lasts approximately 20 minutes.
Taking a deviation from the gulf of Kambos the road ends up at the graphical Vagia and the similarly named gulf, with its vast sandy beach at the cape and the intense tourist movement. Immediately after that you will come across the gulf of Ligginos verdant with green and ideal beach that will refresh you. Following is the gulf of Livadi and the cove of Geranos with their beautiful and serene beaches ideal for those who are looking for a calm and remote location for their vacations. In the area of Cove of Geranos, which is located on a small hill, there is a small chapel of Panagia of Geranos, which is celebrated on the 15th August.
Northwest from the cove, is the Holy place of Apollon which is ideal for those who enjoy hiking. The view of the landscape is truly dreamlike and unique and it is worthwhile taking this course for your hiking searches. You can also reach this area through the special route, with a boat from Scala.
Following is the bay of Lambi which is famous for the uniqueness of its colorful pebbles and many visit it to collect them. The name of the bay is accredited to the brightness of the sun over the waters and pebbles of the beach. It the general area there are a lot of ruins from the ancient city of Platis Gialos while you will also come across the church of Christ from the 16th century, which is celebrated on August the 5th. On the west you will come across the plain of Kalogirous with its church of Panagia Parthenou , which is celebrated on August 23rd, and the similarly named bay with its beach filled with rocks and winds.
Further down you will come across the area of Avdelas or mostly known as Agios Nikolaos the Evdimos with the same named church, which is one of the oldest and is dated from the 11th century. The bay of the area composes a shelter for many small yachts and boats due to the safety it provides. Across you will face the islands of Agios Georgios and a bit further down Kentronisi with they're little churches. Following the same direction you will finally come to the cape of Tripiti , while only a little further down the cape of Geranos . Taking a direction coastally towards the north you will come across lined up the Fanari of Geranos, the cave of Arapis , the settlement of Nero Pouliou and Lemoniou and the bay of Thermia finally ending up at the Holy Ground of Apollos.
Further up is the Cape of Zaroi while following is the cape of Hondros and the small island of Balamos . Between the course that runs between the previously referred capes there are a lot of secluded points for swimming while the scenery and the sea will not leave you indifferent. Staying on the coast and taking the tour around you will go thought Lambis bay and will finally end up at the Cape of Firos .
Immediately after that is the area of Kastri with its magnificent beaches that combine the wild beauty and the open clean sea. Following are the capes of Sardela and Livadi, the bay of Kevi Livadiou, the Mavra Kremna, Agios Nikolaos with the area of Kambi, the Halara, the area of the Megali and Mikri Mersini with its cape and small island and to finally end up at the bay of Lefkes.
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