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Sightseeing
Kalikatsou!
The Geological Marvel
On
the southeastern part of
Patmos
, you set eyes on a
strange rock (called
Petra
in Greek and the area
is named after it) with a peculiar aura, as you pass by the
beach
of
Grikos
. This is the rock
Kalikatsou. It seems as if it emerges from the sea. A rock, that
inspired and continues on inspiring with its massive and its im posing
presence. Many hermits chose, to live on this rock and they managed to
transform this apparent inhospitable rock into a comfortable
place. They carved on it steps, they made a cistern, and a spo t for
coal and for candles, leaving their fingerprints on it forever!
Petra
is linked to many
myths; one of the most widespread myths says that in the Monastery of
St. John the theologian, there is a secret door, a crypt, which leads
to a tunnel. According to tradition, this tunnel crosses the south
part of Chora and ends up at
Petra
. It was created so
the monks could transfer, the skull of Thomas, the apostle, and all
the other heirlooms and treasure that the Monastery had, to a boat
waiting at the
bay
of
Petra
and to protect them
from the constant pirate raids on the island!!!
Kasteli
The
Kastelli area is the site of an ancient acropolis. Remainders of it
are impressive even today, and show natural as well as man-made
fortifications. The surrounding walls, made of volcanic trachyte and
interspersed with towers, are evidence of Hellenistic wall- building
in the 3rd century BC and in use until the Roman era. There was also a
temple at Kastelli, dedicated to the god Apollo.
The
mansion (archontiko) of SIMANTIRI.
The
mansion
of
SIMANTIRI
is a museum in Chora
next to the nunnery of Zoodochos Pigi.
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