The Cave of the Apocalypse (Greek: Σπήλαιο Αποκάλυψης, pronounced [sp'ileo.apok'alipsis]) is located approximately halfway up the mountain on the Aegean island of Patmos, along the road between the villages of Chóra and Skala.

It has been told in Christian tradition that the rock inside the cave was shredded, and through three thin openings, symbolizing the Holy Trinity,[8] he heard a loud voice in his head instructing him to write down what he saw in a book and send it to the seven churches.

[9] The location on the island in which he received and recorded these visions became known as the Cave of the Apocalypse to signify the event of the end of the world, and he compiled his writings into what became known as the Book of Revelation in the bible.

In 1088, the Byzantine Emperor, Alexios Komnenos, gave the island of Patmos as a gift to the soldier and priest, John Christodoulos.

[14] The monastery's exterior was heavily fortified due to the threat of piracy and possible attacks by the Seljuk Turks during the time period.

The most notable parts of the monastery included the Katholikon, which was the main church, the Chapel of Panagia, and the refectory, a room used for communal meals.

The castle itself is lined with white walls of monastic cells on the north and west sides of the courtyard, and the southern portion of the building is formed by a two-story arcade called the Tzafara.

This section of the monastery rebuilt in dressed stone in 1698, and finally, the east side of the castle is formed by the Katholikon.

The town was characterized by white-washed houses, the homes of the fine merchants, small plazas, and narrow streets.

There is a clear definition between the urban and surrounding rural area, with the monastery of St. John of Patmos being the center of the town.

However, in the world today, the historic settlement faces the abandonment of its inhabitants due to great interest in transforming the town in order to make it a location for mass tourism.

The Cave of the Apocalypse is situated about midway up the mountain along a steep road that stems from Skala to Chóra and leads to a temple dedicated to Artemis.