The Italians remained there until 1943, when Nazi Germany took over the island. In 1912, in connection with the Italo-Turkish War, the Italians occupied all the islands of the Dodecanese (except Kastellorizo), including Patmos. Ottoman rule in Patmos ('Batnaz' in Ottoman Turkish) was interrupted by initially Venetian occupation during Candian War between 16, then Russian occupation during Orlov Revolt between 17 and finally during the Greek War of Independence. 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 Ottoman imperial documents held in the Library.

Population was expanded by infusions of Byzantine immigrants fleeing the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, and Cretan immigrants fleeing the fall of Candia in 1669. The construction of the monastery started in 1101. In 1088, the Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos gave Christodulus the complete authority over the island of Patmos, as well as the permission to build a monastery on the island. During this period, the Grand Basilica was destroyed. Įarly Christian life on Patmos, however, barely survived Muslim raids from the 7th to the 9th century. 300–350 AD at the location where the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian stands today. Among these was a Grand Royal Basilica in honour of Saint John, built c. Visitors can see the cave where John is said to have received his Revelation (the Cave of the Apocalypse), and several monasteries on the island are dedicated to Saint John.Īfter the death of John of Patmos, possibly around 100 AD, a number of Early Christian basilicas were erected on Patmos. For this reason, Patmos is a destination for Christian pilgrimage. Early Christian tradition identified this writer John of Patmos as John the Apostle. The book's introduction states that its author, John, was on Patmos when he was given (and recorded) a vision from Jesus. Patmos is mentioned in the Book of Revelation, the last book of the Christian Bible. ĭuring the 3rd century BC, in the Hellenistic period, the settlement of Patmos acquired the form of an acropolis with an improved defence through a fortification wall and towers. In the Classical period, the Patmians prefer to identify themselves as Dorians descending from the families of Argos, Sparta and Epidaurus, further mingling with people of Ionian ancestry. Therefore, very little is known about the earliest inhabitants. Patmos is seldom mentioned by ancient writers. History from the Classical period to the present John the Apostle on Patmos, a 17th-century painting by Jacopo Vignali.

Gradually, inhabitants from the surrounding areas, including Mount Latmos, settled on the island and named it 'Letois' in honour of Artemis. The sun dried up the land and brought life to it. Zeus agreed, and the island emerged from the water. Selene finally convinced Artemis, who, in turn, gained her brother Apollo's help to persuade Zeus to allow the island to arise from the sea. Selene was always trying to get Artemis to bring the sunken island to the surface and hence to life. There she met the moon goddess Selene, who cast her light on the ocean, revealing the sunken island of Patmos. Artemis frequently paid visits to Caria, the mainland across the shore from Patmos, where she had a shrine on Mount Latmos. The myth tells how Patmos existed as an island at the bottom of the sea. It was believed that Patmos came into existence thanks to her divine intervention.

Monastery of Saint John the Theologian The birth of Patmos according to Greek mythology Īccording to a legend in Greek mythology, the island's original name was 'Letois', after the goddess and huntress of deer, Artemis, daughter of Leto.

Paros to milos ferry