The Monastery of St John the Theologian, Patmos Island, Greece 2013

While we were in Skala Pothia on Patmos Island we visited the impressive Monastery of St John the Theologian in the Chora  (historic settlement) high above the harbour only 20 minutes bus ride away from the port.

Pothia Harbour. Hamamas is moored is down there. 

In AD95 after St John was banished to Patmos from Ephesus by the Roman Emperor Domitian he wrote the Book of Revelations in what is now known as the Cave of the Apocalyse. The Monastery was erected  by permission of the Byzantine Emperor Alexis I Komninos, in 1088  to commemorate St John.

The Monastery is beautiful with fine frescos and a priceless collection of icon, ornaments, embroidery and pendants with precious stones housed in the Treasury.  We thoroughly enjoyed wandering around taking photographs when we were able.

As usual we had to "run the gauntlet" of the tourist shops before we reached the Monastery.

Tourist Junk

Tom with yet another Doorway

Sellers outside the Monastery

Fran entering the Monastery

Modern Paintings

There were lots of tiny doorways like this.

Note the remains of some Frescos

Note the Capitals and Columns 

Items in the Treasury

Just a few bells to ring!

There is always a cat somewhere around.

No one was meant to get in the door once it was locked!

This stairway went on and on and on!

Windmills near the Monastery

Couldn't resist this photo of an Eucalyptus Tree