Patmos Art & History Tour (B01)

HALF DAY PRIVATE PATMOS TOUR

Duration: 4 hours Description: Chora’s labyrinth of streets, House of Simandiris, Convent of The Spring of Life, Nikolaidis Mansion, Refreshments/shopping REQUEST NOW

You shall be picked up from the Patmos Scala Cruise Port . Your Patmos guide will hold up a sign with your name on it. Patmos  tour  will take about 4 hours and after tour will drive you back to  Patmos Scala Cruise Port.

Chora’s labyrinth of streets, House of Simandiris, Convent of The Spring of Life, Nikolaidis Mansion, Refreshments/shopping

You will Pick-up from Scala Port. Our main destination is the old village of Chora, the island’s capital, which stands high on the hilltop looking down over the port of Skala. From here we will have the opportunity to photograph the breathtaking panoramic view, learn a little about the islands historical background and discover the stunning architecture of houses dating from the fifteen to eighteen hundreds. After a short walk through the winding cobbled streets e arrive at the house of Simandiris. Here we will have the unique experience of seeing the interior of a traditional Patmian house along with antique furniture, embroidery, and paintings collected over 8 generations of the Simandiris family members. Just around the corner is the tiny Convent of Zoodoho Pigis (The Spring of Life) built in 1607. On one side of the cobbled courtyard is the c pel, where we discover an array of recently restored 17th century frescoes, the timeless art of the icon along with a beautifully carved icon wall. On the other is a ll gift shop where one can purchase handicrafts made by the nuns. We will then continue by foot through a labyrinth of atmospheric lanes winding their way past the foot of the Monastery of St. John to the nsion of Nikolaidis. This historical homestead has recently been restored under the supervision of the Greek Ministry of Culture to protect Byzantine Antiquities. After the fifteen hundreds Patmos enjoyed an influx of rather wealthy ship owners and merchants who built large luxurious houses displaying their powerful class and allowing them protection against numerous pirate attacks.

The Nikolaidis Mansion, built in the seventeen hundreds, is a wonderful example of these grand homesteads and houses – an excellent exhibition showing not only the islanders way of life but also a varied collection of local archeological finds. On the ground floor we find storerooms for foodstuffs, a cooking area with its original fourno (oven), water tanks for the collection of rainwater and its own private chapel named after St. Nickolas. Three staircases lead to the 2nd floor where we find verandas, the formal reception room and the sleeping area, along with a magnificent ambataros (a separating wooden partition), decorated with tradition olk painting. The ambataros was a grand status symbol of the time. Before returning by coach to the port of Skala we conclude our tour with refreshments in a beautiful environment with a spectacular view. A bit of shopping in Chora is also an option! The bus will then return to the Port of Skala.

PS: Patmos tours we provide are private tours which means they include a driver and a separate tour guide who speaks English-French – German – Swedish – Spanish – Italian – Greek and they will accompany you throughout the tour and they will be able to answer any questions or queries during your tour. Those who book in advance avoid the rush and tight squeezes of traveling with all of the crowds.

Tours can be provided in the following languages:

• English – French – German – Swedish – Spanish – Italian – Greek
• Serbian and Russian on request

Conditions on Tour

• Plenty of walking
• Cobble stone roads
• Some steps
• Comfortable shoes required
• Restroom facilities available
• No facilities for persons with special needs