Patmos
The holy isle of Patmos lies between Ikaria and Leros. It is 34 sq. km. in area and has 63 km. of coastline. Very little is known of the island's past though there seems to have been an important city there in antiquity, as testified by finds of the 6th and 4th century BC. recovered from excavations In thc regIon between Skala and the bays of Merika and Chachlakia. During Roman times Patmos was a place of exile and bctween 95 and 97 A.D. the Apostle ]ohn was banished here and composed the wonderful text of the Apocalypsc. In the ensuing centuries the island was constantly plagued by pirates and was more or less abandoned. In 1088 the monk Christodoulos Latrenos arrived here with the intention of building a monastcry in honour of St. ]ohn. Even today the three chiysoboulls with which the Emperor Aiexis L Comnenus granted the Island to the monk Christodoulos, supporting it and exemting It from taxation, are preserved in the katholikon. it took iive ycars to buIlt the monastery and both monks and lay folk assisted him in this task.
Sights - Monuments
From about 1600 onwards the islands main harbour has been Skala. This is where the boats drop anchor and from where one can visit Chora and the other villages on the island. The most important monument Is the fortress -monastery of St. ]ohn the Theologian, built in the centre of Chora at its highest point. About half way along the road from Chora to Skala Is the Cave of the Apocalypse where St. ]ohn dictated the text of the RevelatIon to his pupil Prochoros. Just inside the mouth of the cave Is the chapel of St. Ann, founded by Hosios Christodoulos. There are no regular ferries between Kusadasi and Patmos, but for groups it is always possible to hire private boats between the two. The one way ride takes about 4 -4,5 hours.
With an early departure from Kusadasi It is possible to make a full day visit to the island Including the monastery of St. ]ohn and the cave of the Apocalypse and to return to Kusadasi late afternoon in the same day.
Çesme is 70 km (43,50 Miles) from Izmir. Regular daily ferry servIces durIng the summer. At least once per week during the winter. Operating lines: Connections from Chios to Piraeus -Mitilini by sea -Air connections to Athens are available. Please contact us.
Kusadasi -Samos -Patmos
Kusadasi is 80 km (50 Miles) from Izmir. Kusadasi -Samos regular daily ferry services during the summer. Charters available during off season. Connections from Samos to Patmos as well as charters from Kusadasi to Patmos are available Air and sea connections to Athens-Piraeus are available from Samos.
Ayvalik - Mitilini
Regular ferry services during summer. Charters available during off season. Sea and Air connections from Mitilini to Athens -Piraeus and the main land.
Marmaris - Rhodes
Regular ferry services during summer. Charters available during off season. Sea and Air connections from Rhodes to Athens -Piraeus and the main land.
Bodrum - Cos
Regular ferry services during summer. Charters available during off season. Sea and Air connections from Cos to Athens -Piraeus and the main land.