Cave of Apocalypse
Cave of Apocalypse
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A beautiful monastery built near the cave where St. John the apostle wrote the Book of Revelations.
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4.0
553 reviews
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292
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136
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90
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24
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11
Dean-Traveller
Mugla, Türkiye1,182 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
John was exiled by the Roman governor of Ephesus for promoting Christianity. He spent 18 months on the prison island of Patmos. He lived and prayed in a cave. Jesus appeared to John and asked John to write down the vision which described the ending of earth as we know it. This became the last book of the bible, the book of Revelation.
The cave was special. To be able to kneel and pray where John had prayed. The cave is now part of a complex of monastic buildings protected by UNESCO.
The Cave of Apocalypse is a couple of kilometres up hill from the port of Skala, where cruise ship tenders land. Walkable, but the Monastery of St John is further up the hillside and more of a hike. Steep paths and a maze of streets, so sat nav are sturdy footwear are helpful. An inexpensive taxi ride means one can avoid expensive cruise ship excursions. No commentary that way and there is little in the way of information at the sites.
There is a smooth path or rougher steps from the car park for Cave of Apocalypse.
Excursion groups can fill the cave and lessen the experience so wait for a quiet time if you can. We dawdled at the back of a group to have some time of peace after others had left.
The cave was special. To be able to kneel and pray where John had prayed. The cave is now part of a complex of monastic buildings protected by UNESCO.
The Cave of Apocalypse is a couple of kilometres up hill from the port of Skala, where cruise ship tenders land. Walkable, but the Monastery of St John is further up the hillside and more of a hike. Steep paths and a maze of streets, so sat nav are sturdy footwear are helpful. An inexpensive taxi ride means one can avoid expensive cruise ship excursions. No commentary that way and there is little in the way of information at the sites.
There is a smooth path or rougher steps from the car park for Cave of Apocalypse.
Excursion groups can fill the cave and lessen the experience so wait for a quiet time if you can. We dawdled at the back of a group to have some time of peace after others had left.
Written 30 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rob M
Cheyenne, WY8,923 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
The problem is that when you're in a cruise group, there's a time schedule. Beautiful views from the top. No pictures were allowed inside the cave, but you can feel the power of what happened thousands of years ago. Worth seeing.
Written 1 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NSTAVROS
Athens, Greece785 contributions
Sept 2022
The cave of the Apocalypse is located approximately 2.2 km north of the village of Chora of Patmos (about halfway from the port of Skala to Chora), a little lower than the Monastery of Agios Ioannou the Theologus, near the Patmiada School.
According to tradition, in it, the Evangelist John received the Apocalypse and dictated it to his disciple Prochorus. The original configuration of the area is attributed to Saint Christodoulos, founder of the Monastery of Agios Ioannou. Today it forms the cult core of the complex building complex known as the "Monastery of the Apocalypse".
According to tradition, in it, the Evangelist John received the Apocalypse and dictated it to his disciple Prochorus. The original configuration of the area is attributed to Saint Christodoulos, founder of the Monastery of Agios Ioannou. Today it forms the cult core of the complex building complex known as the "Monastery of the Apocalypse".
Written 26 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
enrique l
Athens, Greece143 contributions
Aug 2022
Whether your're christian or not, this place exudes mystic and you feel like you're visiting something extraordinary, which absolutely is.
Despite the presence of dozens of instagrammers who believe that a picture inside the place will grant them eternal happiness, you will find that your visit was worth 100% of your time. As I said, it's one of a kind
Despite the presence of dozens of instagrammers who believe that a picture inside the place will grant them eternal happiness, you will find that your visit was worth 100% of your time. As I said, it's one of a kind
Written 17 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BillPNo1
Friendswood, TX669 contributions
July 2019
The Grotto of St. John - The Cave of the Apocalypse - is reputedly where St. John wrote the Apocalypse in his later years while in exile on Patmos. This is a must see sight for anyone interested in ancient history, whether spiritually inclined, or not. But for those Pilgrims, in search of a spiritual and Biblical Highlight, a visit to the Grotto of St. John is almost on a level with a visit to the Holy Land itself.
Definitely, a Must-See experience!
Definitely, a Must-See experience!
Written 22 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
greconj
New Jersey368 contributions
July 2024 • Family
Wonderful and emotional visit to this important site. Well managed from a tourist perspective to allow many visitors in an organized fashion. Either take a guide, or read up ahead of time to ensure you understand what you will see. Beautiful place.
Written 13 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MasterP007
Sevierville, TN1,429 contributions
June 2022 • Solo
A short taxi ride from the port. The Apostle John had traveled from Ephesus and stayed in and around this “cave” while he penned Revelations. Any time I can step where historical or biblical figures have, I try to do that. Only 3 Euro to go in. Just do it!
Written 13 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Albert B
Cincinnati, OH483 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
We took a taxi from cruise ship tender landing for 20 euros. Driver returned in 30 minutes. Very easy walk with ramp from parking lot. Taxi drivers also have option to take with further up the hill to the monastery, you can skip the expensive ships tours.
Written 26 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ModerationForMe
Charleston, SC491 contributions
Apr 2022
Nice walk up the hill. Note, if you do walk there is an historic Cobblestone road most of the way. If you aren't up for the hill, take the bus up, and walk down.
It's interesting to see where John was, but it's very Greek Orthodox religious now. It was a little too much of a Shrine for my taste, but of course it is a religious place.
It's interesting to see where John was, but it's very Greek Orthodox religious now. It was a little too much of a Shrine for my taste, but of course it is a religious place.
Written 14 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
akropoli
Houston,Tex4 contributions
The monastery is really amazing and fascinating with all of its staircases and passageways. The view of the harbor is unforgettable. The treasury is a must - see experience -it is not very big but contains some magnificent items of precious metals and jewels. There is also an icon, an early work, painted by El Greco and brought from Crete.
After seeing the Cave of the Apocalypse you can take the short bus ride back to the town or walk back down a rocky path that descends through the woods to the town. This path is to the right of the path leading down from the cave to the road with the tour bus. We were told that it was a ten minute walk down the path to the port but it actually took a little over an hour. There are rocks everywhere along the path so be sure to wear good walking shoes. Not recommended for everyone. It is a lovely walk and you get to see wildflowers and birds. It is also very quiet and spiritual in a way that you would like a visit to Patmos to be. If you are due back at a cruise ship, be sure you have enough time to get back before the ship sails.
I was there on March 19, 2008.
After seeing the Cave of the Apocalypse you can take the short bus ride back to the town or walk back down a rocky path that descends through the woods to the town. This path is to the right of the path leading down from the cave to the road with the tour bus. We were told that it was a ten minute walk down the path to the port but it actually took a little over an hour. There are rocks everywhere along the path so be sure to wear good walking shoes. Not recommended for everyone. It is a lovely walk and you get to see wildflowers and birds. It is also very quiet and spiritual in a way that you would like a visit to Patmos to be. If you are due back at a cruise ship, be sure you have enough time to get back before the ship sails.
I was there on March 19, 2008.
Written 6 April 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there a fee to enter the cave?
Written 21 March 2024
How far is the walk from the cruise port to the Cave of Apocalypse? Is there a fee to get in either of them?
Written 13 March 2023
I would like to visit the Cave and the Monastery in October, we will arrive in the late afternoon.
You can refer me companies or someone who makes the excursions and or transfers there. Thank you
Written 2 October 2019
There are agencies who give guided tours from other islands; we saw ships coming in with tourists who were taken op to the monistary.
We took a taxi in the early Sunday morning up to Xora and visited the monastery, Xora, the Windmills and the cave by foot and walked back to the coast.
Written 3 October 2019
Our cruise arrives on shore at 6.30 pm in July 2019.
Will we be able to tour the Cave and monastery?
Written 10 July 2019
Yes , Both the Cave of Apocalypse and The Monastery of St. Johns always are open for Cruise travellers .
Written 28 July 2019
I want to go here next month my cruise is docking from 5:45pm to 9pm. Will this still be open? Does anybody know about times or any tours that start later in the afternoon
Written 2 June 2019
Yes when cruise ships arriving on the island no mutter what time
is, the cave of Apocalypse and the monastery of St. Johns are open for the tourist arriving . When there is no cruise
ship in the harbour, then both sides close at normal times..
Written 3 July 2019
I would like to visit the cave and monastery in November. I cannot find an official website that states when each one is open to the public (days and times). Does anyone know where to find this information?
Written 6 October 2018
The cave was open at 10:00 and it was still open at 17:00 when I was there. This time may change during winter - but the monastery nearby could give more information or at least have the same opening hours. Look at this site:
patmos monastery of st john has a website that may not be put on this site due to tripadvisor´s rules. There are som opening hours shown.
Written 15 November 2018
Is the cave and ferries open all year? I would like to go on November.
Written 5 October 2018
At the moment, unfortunately you have to go down, very steep steps ,The good news is, when I was there end of May 2019 ,they were currying out works so that you can enter the cave at grown
level rather than from above. when the works is finish it should be easier for disable people to Visit.
Written 3 July 2019
Hi, I think that I can only visit the monastery and cave on a Sunday. Do do know if there is access on this day?
Written 6 February 2017
Hi Ron, they have mass in the cave on a Sunday and i believe the monastery is closed on Sunday
Written 8 May 2017
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