Patmos

Patmos, northernmost of the Dodecanese Islands of Greece, in the southeast Aegean Sea, near Turkey. Patmos is a barren volcanic island 13 sq mi (34 sq km) in area. Grapes, citrus fruits, olives, and cereals are grown, but the economy is dependent mainly on tourism and sponge fishing. Its 11th-century monastery contains an important library. The island was settled in ancient times by the Dorians and Ionians, and was used as a place of exile by the Romans. It was while in exile on Patmos that the apostle John is said to have written the Fourth Gospel and the Book of Revelation of the New Testament. Patmos was controlled by Turkey (1537–1912) and Italy (1912–47) before it returned to Greek rule.