"The Jerusalem of the Aegean" is one way of describing Patmos, a place of pilgrimage for the Christians. It was here that St. John the Theologian was exiled between 95 and 97 A.D., and was inspired to write the Book of Revelation or Apocalypse.

Later the emperor Alexios Komninos ordered the monk Christodoulos Letrinos to found a monastery in honour of the Apostle. Thus the holy monastery of Patmos and its most important landmark -actually resembling a castle rather than a monastery- was built. It is certainly worth visiting the monastery and its museum, where you will see many priceless objects.

Patmos is a mountainous island with rocky soil and an abundance of small coves.The port of the island is Skala, a pleasant place but of no particular interest, except that it has many hotels, tavernas and bars.

The majestic fortress-monastery crowns the hill above the port, surrounded by dazzling white, cubelike houses. Among them, there are miniscule churches and captains' mansions, separated from each other by narrow lanes, high walls and small squares opening onto breath-catching views over the Aegean. This is the capital of the island, Patmos or Hora. Walk in the narrow streets to feel the midieval atmosphere.