The Monastery of Saint John the Theologian in Patmos, founded in 1088 by Saint Christodoulos, this significant monument of the island and the Aegean Sea in general, dominates with its distinctly fortress-like character above the Town of Patmos.

Over the course of 925 years of uninterrupted life of the Monastery, this architectural ensemble has witnessed the adventures and history of the Aegean and has undergone numerous modifications, constructions, or repairs, resulting in an impressive fortified settlement complex with a unique architectural character today.

Due to the great wealth of its library and the artistic treasures accumulated over time, it has attracted the attention and study of many significant researchers, resulting in the outlines of its historical journey being more or less known.

However, the lack of systematic documentation of the buildings that make up the monastery until now has prevented the formation of a complete picture of its architectural history. This gap has been filled by the detailed recording, design, and description of the entire architectural wealth presented in this book.