Patmos
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| Patmos Πάτμος |
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 Skala on Patmos |
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| Geography | |
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| Coordinates: | |
| Island Chain: | Dodecanese |
| Area:[1] | 34.05 km² (13 sq.mi.) |
| Highest Mountain: | Mt. Profitis Ilias (269 m (883 ft)) |
| Government | |
 Greece |
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| Periphery: | South Aegean |
| Prefecture: | Dodecanese |
| Capital: | Patmos (city) |
| Statistics | |
| Population: | 3,044 (as of 2001) |
| Density: | 89 /km² (232 /sq.mi.) |
| Postal Code: | 855 xx |
| Area Code: | 22470 |
| License Code: | ΚΧ, ΡΟ, PK |
| Website | |
| www.patmos.gr | |
Patmos (Greek, Πάτμος; Italian: Patmo) is a small Greek island in the Aegean Sea. One of the northernmost islands of the Dodecanese complex, it has a population of 2,984 and an area of 34.05 km (13 square miles). The highest point is Profitis Ilias, 269 meters above sea level. The Municipality of Patmos, which includes the offshore islands of Arkoi (pop. 54), Marathos (pop. 6), and several uninhabited islets, has a total population of 3,044 (2001 census) and a combined land area of 45.039 km².
Patmos' main communities are Chora (the capital city), and Skala, the only commercial port. Other settlements are Grikou and Kampos. The churches and communities on Patmos are of the Eastern Orthodox tradition. In 2006, the island's historic center Chora, along with the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse, were declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.[2] The monastery was founded by Saint Christobulus.[3] Patmos is also home to the Patmian School, a notable Greek seminary.
Patmos is mentioned in the Christian scriptural Book of Revelation. The book's introduction states that its author, John, was exiled to Patmos, where he was given (and recorded) a vision from Jesus. Earliest Christian tradition identifies this writer as John the Apostle. As such, Patmos is a destination for Christian pilgrimage. Visitors can see the cave where John is said to have received his Revelation, and several monasteries on the island are dedicated to Saint John.
The current mayor of Patmos is Grigoris Kambosos.
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[edit] Skala
Skala is the main settlement on the island, and consists of four areas. Netia, the new port area, stretches along the main road towards Kambos. Netia is made up of a large concrete marina used by both yachts and the larger local fishing boats, and a small boatyard. The opposite side of the road abuts a mountain, which has been excavated somewhat, giving buildings more space to develop. New buildings include a dive center and several restaurants.
The turn from the beach-front road toward Netia is the site of John the Evangelist's baptismal font.
The island also has beaches and coves, including a beach of fine, white sand on the southern end of the Island, Psili Ammos.
[edit] History
There are remains of an ancient settlement on the hill Kastelli, overlooking the port of Skala. The island was uninhabited from the 6th century A.D. until 1088, when Osios Christodoulos arrived to found the Monastery of St. John the Theologian. Population was expanded by infusions of Byzantine immigrants fleeing the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, and Cretan immigrants fleeing the fall of Chandakas (Crete) in 1669. The island was controlled by the Ottoman Empire for many years, but it enjoyed certain privileges, mostly related to tax-free trade by the monastery (as certified by numerous Ottoman imperial documents held in the Library). Patmos was captured by the Italians in 1912 during the Turco-Italian War, and remained under their control until the end of World War II, when it was ceded to Greece.
[edit] Picture Gallery
 The church of Agia Paraskevi in Skala (front) and the Monastery of St. John the Divine |
 The inner yard |
 Roof |
 Inside the Old Library |
 Sunrise in Skala |
 Agriolivadi bay |
 Cape Yenoupa |
 Skala in sunset, as seen from windmills |
 A house in Chora |
 A street in Chora |
 The monument to Emmanouil Xanthos |
 Windmills |
 Entrance to the Apocalypse Complex, UNESCO World Heritage Site |
 "I was in the isle that is called Patmos", Rev. 1:9 |
 Dome above the Holy Cave |
[edit] See also
- Icaria - island to the northwest
- Patmos, Arkansas
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
[edit] References
- ^ Basic Characteristics. Ministry of the Interior. www.ypes.gr. Retrieved on 2007-08-07.
- ^ UNESCO, World Heritage Site #942, webpage:WHC-UNESCO-942.
- ^
"Patmos". Catholic Encyclopedia. (1913). New York: Robert Appleton Company.
[edit] External links
- Official website (English) (Greek)
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