Arki Island

The island has ferry boat connections to Samos, Patmos, Leros and Lipsi, and during the summer day-trips are organized from the port of Patmos to the port of Arki.

The modern – settlement (Porto – Augusta) has been built in the cove and on its hill there are ruins of a tower and a fortress of the 4th century BC with interesting decor and religious activity in ancient times.

On the hill overlooking the main harbour are situated the ruins of an acropolis. Although little remains of the structure, the stones used to build it make a good viewpoint at which to see the sun set over the Aegean.

At the other end of the island, in the direction of Samos, is what is referred to as the 'Italian jail'. Villagers say it was used during World War II as a prison by the Italian army, since from 1912 to 1943 the island was part of the Italian Dodecanese.

The island is characterized by dry, rocky land with little in the way of vegetation apart from olive trees and some hardy shrubs. Fauna on the island mainly consists of livestock such as goats or donkeys, though herons can be spotted occasionally. The marine life in the bays around the island has not suffered as much as on other Greek islands with various species of grouper and nudibranch present.

Source: wikipedia.org www.patmos.gr