Patmos Island (Greece)

Patmos Island is one of Dodecanese Islands in Aegean Sea (Eastern Mediterranean) famous as the location where was written Bible's Book of Revelation. The island covers area of approx 34 km2 (13 ml2) and has population around 3,000. Its highest elevation point is 269 m (883 ft).  The municipality also includes the offshore islands Arkoi, Marathos and several uninhabited isles.

Island's main towns are named Chora (capital) and Skala Patmos (commercial / ferry and cruise port). Due to Book of Revelation, Patmos is a major Christian pilgrimage destination. Here tourists visit the "Cave of the Apocalypse" where St John received the Revelation plus several monasteries dedicated to him. In 1999, Chora, St John Monastery and the Cave were declared UNESCO site.

Cruise ships dock near Skala Patmos from where their passengers visit the Grotto of Saint Anna or the fortress monastery of Saint John, featuring a maze of courtyards and Byzantine-style arcades. In ancient Greece, Apollo's sister Artemis was worshipped here. Former island occupants were Ottoman Turks, Italians and Crusaders.

Patmos Island cruise terminal