You can see where the steps are leading up to the top--just on the left of the photo.
And the crowds of people climbing, climbing, climbing. . .
If you wanted to, you could take a donkey ride. Up the steps? I don't think so!
More walls to repel or protect.
And the view of the harbor of Lindos below.
The next site, the town of Rhodes, is in fact a walled city. Built by the Knights Hospitaller, it is touted as the largest extant walled city in Europe. It was built in the 1300s, and withstood many attempted invasions. Portions of the palace there were destroyed in 1856, then rebuilt by the Italians, during their occupation. The town has now been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, a much appreciated development, as that brings money in for restoration.
We left Rhodes, and then traveled overnight to the island of Patmos. When we arrived in Patmos, our local guide solemnly informed us that we were going to see the second most holy site in all of Christendom. Her assessment--after Jerusalem, the cave where St. John received the Revelation of the Apocalypse is the second most holy site.
Well, I can't dispute someone's individual belief, but it seems to me that this pronouncement is a bit of a stretch.
We boarded a bus to ride up the hills on this small island to reach Chora which is nearby the Cave of the Apocalypse. Below we could see Agriolivadi Bay. Just as our bus was climbing, we stopped for a brief photo opportunity--and then the bus engine refused to start. So there we stood. Lovely views all around.
The bay below--note the house on the right.
Isn't this a wonderful house? Could you see living here with the view below?
With these horses in the field next to the house?
Far above us was the Monastery of St. John the Divine--we had opted not to go there, but it was an imposing site nevertheless.
Then into the town of Chora, with its lovely little town square. Since we were there on Sunday morning, we watched the elderly ladies getting ready to go to church in Skala, the main town below. They went there so they could visit with their friends and gossip.
The next stop was the Cave of the Apocalypse. On the off chance you are not up on New Testament literature, the last book in the NT canon is the Book of Revelation. Written by an author named John who tells the reader he was on the island of Patmos when he received his revelation, we know the book was written during a time of Roman persecution of Christians. The author was basically a political (or religious) prisoner who had been exiled to Patmos. The Romans did that--exiled people to islands like Patmos.
That much I have no trouble accepting. Where the skeptic in me comes out is in descriptions of the cave itself. So, how--I ask--do we know it was THIS cave that John was in? And how do we know he was IN a cave when he received his revelation? And how do we know he put his hand on the cave wall, in a niche (now rimmed in silver), as his hand-hold to help him get up? Or how do we know that rock was his "pillow"? My skepticism was pushed right over the top when the guide told us we would see a place in the cave where the rock split into three--proof of the Trinity. Huh? Maybe the rock just split. You see--I am the skeptic.
We went down many steps into the cave--where we were NOT allowed to take photographs--and where a Greek Orthodox service was underway. Here is where the men attended Sunday service. I felt somewhat disrespectful walking through the cave, but our guide urged us that it was quite acceptable with the priest. So we all trooped through to the chanting of the Gospel in the three plus hour service.
This photo comes from another website featuring tourist attractions on Patmos.
So the next and final stop on this journey will be mainland Turkey--the ancient town of Ephesus.
13 comments:
If you are going to have a bus breakdown, you couldn't have selected a more picturesque spot.
I loved the tour. Did you have to dodge a lot of donkey manure on the way up the steps? A donkey ride up those steps seems much more dificult than walking.
I never knew the story about St. John the Devine writing in a cave, although I knew he was exiled in Patmos. Like you, I am skeptical when someone knows the absolute spot of such ancient happenings.
I don't want this trip to end.
What a spectacular post! Oh, to go to Rhodes.
I, too, am a skeptic. I want to know the line between holy site and huckster site.
Can't blame you for being a teensy weensy bit skeptical.
interesting place!
Beautiful scenery, interesting history. When I toured Israel, I was equally skeptical about many of the holy sites we saw.
I love your travelogue. And as far as Ver*zon goes, they have made lots of enemies in Florida, coming in with the F*os offers. The service is wonderful, but the customer service has left a lot to be desired.
I certainly am enjoying these geography and history tours.
Amazing photos. Do the donkeys actually go up the stairs? I would think it would impede the pedestrians.
Love those donkeys. I'd be skeptical, too. Lovely photos of the sea...
About skeptics and donkeys--
I am skeptical primarily because so many of these "holy" sights we saw were not determined to be holy until sometime in the 1300s, 1400s, 1500s or thereabouts. In other words, at least 1000 years after whatever events. With no written record, the church decided the holiness of said sight because someone had a vision. Well, I am not one for visions revealing universal truths--personal, maybe; but not universal.
The donkeys--I think they really are for show. They take tourists around the narrow streets and little marketplaces. I did not see ANY going up the stairs. So I do think they were mostly a tourist attraction. But cute!
I'm finally catching up with my blogging friends. What an experience it was to arrive here to share the trip of a lifetime. The photographs are a stunning record of your travels and your commentary is wonderful. So much to see, so much information, a real treat.
That is beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
I am jealous, jealous, jealous.
: )
The scenery is so beautiful, Donna.
I had to chuckle when you talk about being a skeptic on the St. John and the Apocalypse story. I recall many years ago on a family vacation (when we were still kids) our parents took us on the tour of the Mormon Church in Salt Lake City. Before the tour started, Mom took us aside and strongly advised us that even though the tour guide might say something we disagreed with (as Lutherans) we were supposed to 'keep our mouths shut!' and ask Mom & Dad our questions later.
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