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The Island of Pátmos - Northern Dodecanese
(Images & Information as of September 2004)
One of the smaller Dodecanese, 12 km long and 4 km at its widest northern end, narrowing to half km at Skála & Dhiakófti and boasting some 3000 hours of sunshine a year. Its landscape is reminiscent of the Cyclades. Pátmos is a delightful island with an atmosphere of cultured gentility, reflecting an underlying theological theme; being home the Monastery of St John and the Cave of the Apocalypse - both declared as world heritage sites by Unesco - the cave is where John the Evangelist is said to have written the finale to the New Testament - the Book of Revelations (or the Apocalypse) - dictated to him by God. The 3,000, or so, inhabitants of Pátmos are generally friendly and helpful folks and there's no shortage of excellent tavernas and shops. Some of the beaches are pebbly, some sand, some half and half, but generally very pleasant and the water fabulously clear and inviting. There is a good bus service, as well as taxis and car/moped hire.
While we were there a Festival of Religious music was taking place (3rd - 14th September) and choirs travelled considerable distances to sing in the small open-air theatre at the Cave of the Apocalypse.
The links immediately below will take you to a page with images and information on a particular area. During our stay on Pátmos we spent most of our time relaxing at Gríkou, but the links at the bottom of the page will take you to other areas which we didn't have time to visit.
Ioannis'
Bus to get you around Pátmos
Patmos Taxi Station
Tel : 22470 31225
Accomodation
----------------Also see patmos-island.com
Other useful sources of information
Apart from checking out the websites below try to pick up a copy of the following publications on the island itself:-
"PatmosTimes" a really useful guide to Patmos which we were given free at Ktima Petra Restaurant at Petra beach on our first day - you can take a look at their website at patmosweb (I've linked it to the English version).
"Patmos Summertime" an equally useful little magazine which we were also given by the kind people at Ktima Petra Restaurant.
TEXNH EDITIONS fold-out Island Road Map and guide. We always make a point of picking up one of their maps on every island that we visit - usually around 2 Euros or less.
Weblinks:-
A 360° Virtual Reality tour of Patmos
Patmos Homepage - (un)official tourist site from Patmiots.org
Randa Bishop - Patmos Collection Photo Exhibition (+ more useful information on her home page)
Patmos Observer - an informal monthly information site
