Patmos is a small island with a population of approximately 3000 people and is the northernmost island of the Dodecanese complex. Patmos was seldom mentioned by ancient writers so little is known about the earliest inhabitants. Remains of human settlements found on the island date back to 2000 BC.

Worldwide Patmos is known as a sacred island for it is the place where Saint John wrote the Book of Revelation. Designated as "Holy Island" by the Greek Parliament in 1981 as well as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999, Patmos is of high religious significance. .

According to history, the Book of Revelation was written in 95 A.D. in the Holy Cave of the Apolacypse, where St. John heard the voice of God talking to him. Turned into a place of worship by the monk Christodoulos Latrinós in the 11th century the cave -on whose walls we can trace the fingerprints of St. John's himself-, is still open to the devout Christians who visit. It is quite an astounding feeling to stand in the cave

The Holy Monastery of St John the Theologian was built as a castle in 1088 by the monk Christodoulos Latrinós.. Buildings of different ages form the Monastery, comprising 10 chapels and 99 cells as well as a Library of 890 handwritten codes and 13,000 documents about the history of the site. UNESCO declared this site as an exceptional example of a living Orthodox pilgrimage centre. There are only 34 monks in residence today.

In addition to its religious significance Patmos is a delight. In the area of Hóra you can see little glittering white houses under the Aegean sun standing next to proud two-storey mansions. Follow the historical narrow streets all the way from the monastery down to Skála (the island's port), and wander along the waterfront where you will discover restaurants, cafés, shops and traditional bakeries.

In 2009 Forbes declared Patmos as "Europe's most idyllic place" and it is easy to see why. Patmos provides a warm island atmosphere and has retained an air of quiet tranquillity. I can see myself returning to this beautiful island.