Pátmos

Area of island: 34 sq. km/13 sq. mi

Altitude: 269m/883ft

Population: 2,500

Chief place: Pátmos (Khóra)

Pátmos lies in the eastern Aegean, south of Sámos and southeast of Ikaría. The most northerly of the Dodecanese, it is a rugged island of volcanic origin - perhaps the rim of the crater of an extinct volcano - with a much indented coastline. It has been celebrated since the Middle Ages as the island of St John the Divine, who is said to have written the Book of Revelation while living in exile on Pátmos.

Pátmos was originally settled by Dorians and later by Ionians, and had a sanctuary of Artemis. The early history of the island - a place of no political or economic importance - is unknown. Like its barren neighboring islands, Pátmos was used as a place of exile in Roman times. During the early Middle Ages it seems to have been abandoned and desolate. The island was given a new lease of life as an intellectual and religious center when Abbot Christodoulos fled from Asia Minor and transferred his monastery from Mount Latmos, near Miletus, to Pátmos in 1088. The monastic island, receiving rich donations and granted extensive privileges, grew wealthy and influential. Living under its own strict Rule (Typikon), it survived 250 years of Turkish rule unscathed, subject only to the annual payment of tribute.

Since 1946 the whole island has been under statutory protection as an ancient monument. The acquisition of land by foreigners and the export of antiquities are prohibited save in exceptional circumstances.

Regular service from and to Athens (Piraeus), several times weekly (10 hours; cars carried); from and to Salonica and Rhodes, weekly. Local connections in Dodecanese and with Ikaría and Arkí.