Patmos Highlights
This varied tour is perfect for those who want just a little bit more.
The tour visits the Cave of the Apocalypse home to the birth of the Book of Revelation, the last book in the Holy Bible. In 95AD, at the time of the perscution of the Christians, St. John was exiled to the Island of Patmos where the vision of the Revelation was revealed to him in this small cave which has now become a place of worship and an important destination for pilgrims.
On leaving the Cave we drive to the old village of Chora, high on the hilltop where one will have the opportunity to photograph the breathtaking panoramic view over the island and discover the stunning architecture of houses dating from the fifteen to eighteen hundred.
Chora, the island's capital, houses the 11th-century Monastery of St. John the Theologian. Here one can get a glimpse of monastic life and absorb timeless history through the magnificent ecclesiastical artefacts of its museum. Among the Monastery's treasures are frescoes of the founder Christodoulou and miracles of St. John, ancient documents dating from the 6th century, vestments, silverware and numerous icons including a work attributed to El Greco.
From the Monastery, we walk through the winding cobbled streets of Chora to the house of Simandiris. Here we will have the unique experience of seeing the interior of a traditional Patmian house along with antique furniture, embroidery, and paintings collected over 8 generations of the Simandiris family members.
Before returning to the hotel we conclude our tour with a walk through Chora and browse the open-air shops.