Description
Area
Epidauros covers an area full of relatively large buildings including a theatre, a stadium, a temple, and several other buildings. During the period of its bloom, many people suffering from various diseases used to come here in the hope of being cured. There was a certain procedure one had to go through to be healed by Asclepius.
Visit Epidaurus
Don't miss out on performances in the theatre building. The acoustics are incredible!
Historical Information
Epidaurus is a place of worship dedicated to Asclepius, the ancient Greek god of medicine, healing, rejuvenation and physicians. Located in the east of the Peloponnese peninsula, it has been a listed UNESCO world heritage site since 1988.
On-site one can still find the remains of this place of worship. Archaeologists assume a settlement from as early as the 3rd millennium BC. In the 4th millennium BC, Epidaurus already was a cultural hub in ancient Greece, especially because Asclepius was increasingly gaining on significance as a Greek god and it additionally turned out that Epidaurus was the birthplace of Asclepius.
In the course of the centuries to follow, this place of worship had over and over been destroyed by raids and wars. Despite of the heavy attacks, the damaged or destroyed buildings were rebuilt shortly after, which was interpreted as a sign of the consistent significance of the god. In 426 AD this pagan place of worshipping was closed down due to the wide-reaching Christianisation of Greece.
How to get there
By car
Epidaurus is well reachable by car. It is situated along the N70, connecting Isthmia and Nafplio. The way to Epidauros is signposted.
