- Patmos
Infobox Greek Isles
name = Patmos
native_name = Πάτμος
skyline = Skala.jpg
sky_caption = Skala on Patmos
coordinates = coord|37|19|N|26|30|E
chain = Dodecanese
isles =
area = 34.05
highest_mount = Mt. Profitis Ilias
elevation = 269
periph =South Aegean
prefect =Dodecanese
capital = Patmos (city)
population = 3044
pop_as_of = 2001
postal = 855 xx
telephone = 22470
license = ΚΧ, ΡΟ, PK
website = [http://www.patmos.gr/ www.patmos.gr]Patmos (Greek, "Πάτμος"; Italian: "Patmo") is a small Greek island in the
Aegean Sea . One of the northernmost islands of theDodecanese 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 ofArkoi (pop. 54), Marathi (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 1999, the island's historic center Chora, along with the
Monastery of Saint John the Theologian and theCave of the Apocalypse , were declaredWorld Heritage Site s byUNESCO . [UNESCO, World Heritage Site #942, webpage: [http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/942 WHC-UNESCO-942] .] The monastery was founded by Saint Christodulos. [CathEncy|wstitle=Patmos] Patmos is also home to the Patmian School, a notable Greekseminary .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 fromJesus . Earliest Christian tradition identifies this writer asJohn the Apostle . As such, Patmos is a destination for Christianpilgrimage . Visitors can see the cave where John is said to have received his Revelation (theCave of the Apocalypse ), and several monasteries on the island are dedicated to Saint John.The current mayor of Patmos is Grigoris Kambosos.
kala
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.
History
The earliest remains of human settlements date to the Middle
Bronze Age (ca2000 BC ). They consist of pottery sherds from Kastelli, the most important archaeological site so far identified. Given the fact that Patmos is hardly ever mentioned by ancient writers, very little can be conjectured with regard to the earliest inhabitants of this land. Around1000 BC , the Patmians prefer to identify themselves asDorians descending from the families ofArgos ,Sparta andEpidaurous , further mingling with people ofIonian ancestry. Judging from archaeological finds, Kastelli continues to play an important role on the island throughout theAncient Greek period (ca 1000 BC-323 BC ). During the 3rd century BC, in theHellenistic period , the settlement of Patmos acquired the form of anacropolis with an improved defence through a fortification wall and towers. [http://www.patmos.gr/index.asp Patmos - official website] History. Retrieved on 2008-09-04.]After the death of
John of Patmos , possibly around 100AD , a number of Early Christianbasilicas were erected on Patmos. Among these was a Grand Royal Basilica in honour of Saint John, built ca 300-350 at the location where theMonastery of Saint John the Theologian stands today. Early Christian life on Patmos, however, barely survived Arab raids from the 6th to the 9th century. During this period, the Grand Basilica was destroyed. In the 11th century, theByzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos gave Reverend Father Christodoulos the complete authority over the island of Patmos, as well as the permission to build a monastery on the island. The construction of the monastery started in 1101. [http://www.greeka.com/dodecanese/patmos/patmos-history.htm Greeka.com] - Patmos history. Retrieved on 2008-09-04.]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 theOttoman 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).In 1912, in connection with the
Turco-Italian War , theItalians occupied all the islands of theDodecanese , including Patmos. The Italians remained there until 1943, when theGermans took over the island. In 1945, the Germans left and the island of Patmos remained autonomous until 1948, when it, together with the rest of the Dodecanese Islands, joined the independent Greece.The birth of Patmos according to Greek mythology
According to a
legend within theGreek mythology , the island's original name was "Letois," after the goddessArtemis , daughter ofLeto . It was believed that Patmos came into existence thanks to her divine intervention. Mythology tells of how Patmos existed as an island at the bottom of the sea. Deer-huntress Artemis frequently paid visits to Karia, the mainland across the shore from Patmos, where she had a shrine onMount Latmos . There, she used to meet up with the moon goddessSelini , who cast her light on the ocean, revealing the sunken island of Patmos. Selini was always trying to get Artemis to bring the sunken island to the surface and, hence, to life. Selini finally convinced Artemis, who, in turn, elicited her brotherApollo 's help, in order to persuadeZeus to allow the island to arise from the sea. Zeus agreed, and the island emerged from the water. The Sun dried up the land and brought life to it. Gradually, inhabitants from the surrounding areas, including Mount Latmos, settled on the island and named it "Letois" in honour of Artemis. [ [http://www.patmos.gr/index.asp Patmos - official website] Legendary folk tales and mythology. Retrieved on 2008-09-04.]Picture Gallery
ee also
*
Icaria - island to the northwest
*Patmos, Arkansas
*UNESCO World Heritage Sites.References
External links
* [http://www.patmos.gr/ Official website] en el icon
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.