Patmos Πάτμος Overview

Patmos is unusually serene for the site of the Revelation of the Apocalypse (see St. John the Evangelist’s Book of Revelation). The tranquil pebble beaches and simple waterside tavernas lend Patmos a sense of contentment, but the fortress-like Monastery of St. John at the top of the hill reminds pilgrims and Patmians alike of the island’s unique history. Built in 1088 to house the monks of St. John, the pirate-proof monastery played a central role in Christian theology and Byzantine political history throughout the early part of the second millenium, earning Patmos the nickname, “Jerusalem of the Aegean.” Locals claim that Patmos’s religious character is most apparent around Easter, but everyone can appreciate the island’s rugged beauty and friendly atmosphere any time of year.

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