Cave of the Apocalypse on Patmos Restored

Cave of the Apocalypse, Patmos Island. Photo Source: Municipality of Patmos

The Cave of the Apocalypse on the Greek island of Patmos, believed to be the spot John of Patmos received his visions recorded in the Book of Revelation, has been renovated with EU funding handled by the South Aegean Region under the supervision of the Dodecanese Ephorate of Antiquities.

Patmos Port – Skala. Photo © Region of South Aegean

Declared a World Heritage Site in 1999 by UNESCO along with the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian, the Cave of the Apocalypse has attracted thousands of visitors to the Dodecanese island, which is a leading destination for religious tourism.

The Cave of the Apocalypse, located about halfway up the hill along the main road from the port of Skala to the main village of Chora, is today a sacred site featuring a mosaic depicting the visions of John as well as a hollowed out grotto where the Apostle is said to have rested.

In the Bible John of Patmos has written: “I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. On the Lord’s Day, I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet…” (Revelation 1:9-10).