| Epidaurus Επίδαυρος | |
 | |
| State | Greece |
|---|---|
| Region | Peloponnese |
| Institutional website | |
Epidaurus is an archaeological site ofArgolis, in Greece and it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
To know
Epidaurus, or rather Palea Epídavros officially names one of two municipalities named "Epidaurus" in the Argolis district, but outside the Hellenic administrative bureaucracy the name is associated by all with the archaeological site of a thriving sanctuary of Asclepius which was a destination in the Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic of pilgrimage from every part of Hellas. Remarkable architectural finds remain of it, above all the famous theater, the sacred area and a stadium. The archaeological museum present on the site preserves and documents the many findings of the site, linked to the cult of Asclepius.
Geographical notes
The site is roughly 130 kilometers south of Athens, 50 from Corinth and at 25 from Nafplio.
The ancient city of Epidaurus was located on the coast, in a village currently called Archaia Epidaurus. However, the imposing ruins are not found in the city, but rather in the asclepeion, a ritual center dedicated to Asclepius, the Greek god of healing, for which the ancient Greeks would have traveled in search of a cure for their diseases. L'Epidaurus asclepeion it is located near the modern city of Lygourio, about 12 km inland from the ancient city of Epidaurus.
When to go
As in all outdoor archaeological sites, the best time to visit Epidaurus is in late spring as the chances of a beautiful sunny day are high, the heat is not excessive and the tourist crowds are still acceptable.
How to get
Epidaurus: full screen map.By plane
The nearest airport is the international airport Eleftherios Venizelos of Athens, from which to use road vehicles to reach the site.
By car
From Athens the highway 
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leads to the strait of Corinth, just beyond which it is necessary to take the state road 10 Corinto-Epidaurus. This road follows the profile of the Saronic Gulf for about forty kilometers up to the town of Palaia Epidavros, to then delve into the Peloponnese for another three kilometers.
By bus
Buses depart from Athens (KTEL A bus terminal). There are limited departures throughout the day and additional trips scheduled to coincide with the theater performances.
Other connections from Monday to Friday at 12:30 Nafplio to Palaia Epidavros then take another bus to Epidaurus. Much more suitable is the KTEL bus that leaves from Nauplia-Ligouro-Epidaurus theater because it terminates in the parking lot of the theater. The hours are as follows: from Monday to Friday 5:30 am, 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 5:30 pm, 8:00 pm; Saturday: 10:30 am, 2:30 pm, 5:30 pm; Sundays and holidays: 5:30 pm. From Corinth, precisely from Isthmos the buses always arrive at Palaia EpidavrosFurther information on timetables can be found here.
There are also tour bus companies that organize day trips to Epidaurus.
Permits / Rates
Admission to the site and museum is € 12. Reduced admission is € 6. From November to March rates are reduced by 50%, when there are fewer visitors.
The site opens at 08:00 every day of the week. Closing times vary according to the season: 17:00 (Nov-Feb), 18:00 (Tue, Oct), 19:00 (Apr 12-30 Sep), 20:00 (May-11 September). The site is closed or has reduced hours on some holidays.
How to get around
There is a comfortable and wide 1 free parking at the entrance to the site that allows you to visit the area on foot.
What see
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1 Ancient theater of Epidaurus. This incredibly well-preserved theater held (and still holds) up to 14,000 spectators. It is particularly admired for its exceptional acoustics - tour guides who have their groups scattered in the stands show them how they can easily hear the sound taking center stage. It was first built in the 4th century BC. and the seats were enlarged in the 2nd century BC. It is still used today for theatrical performances, particularly as part of the Athens and Epidaurus Festival in summer. 
- 2 Estiatorion complex (Propilon-odeon-estiatorion). This overlapping of buildings is dated to 300 BC. while the odeon was built in the 2nd or 3rd century AD. The entire building measures 76x70 meters. If the odeon is located in the center of the complex surrounded by a colonnade, the propylaum is to the north. Inside the structure sacrifices were made and offerings made to the god Asclepius. But inside it was also used as a gymnasium.
- The estiatorion was destroyed in the second part of the 1st century AD. so later the odeon was built as a venue for events. The propilon in Roman times was converted into a temple of Igeia, the goddess of health. Today there is an inscription in front of the entrance to the temple with his name.
- 3 Propylaeum (Propylon). This building annexed to the estiatorion stands out from the others for the presence of standing columns, often photographed for their picturesque image.
- 4 Archaeological Museum of Epidaurus (Μουσείο Επιδαύρου), ☎ 30 2753 022009. Museum located inside the archaeological area. It is divided into three rooms. The first room displays the ex-votos of thanks for the miraculous cures and healings, as well as the medical instruments used at that time. In the second room there are a number of statues, mainly votive offerings from the last years of the Asclepeion. The statue of Aesculapius is a copy, the original is in the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. In the third room there are parts of buildings reconstructed or as models, here there is also a model of Tholos.
- 5 Katagogion. Place of refuge for the ancient visitors of the site. Built in the 4th century BC. The building is very large with an area of 5,822 square meters with four units of equal size, each unit had a courtyard with a Doric peristyle and the rooms. It is estimated the presence of 160 rooms. The building was renovated in Roman times and then fell into disrepair along with the entire complex.
- 6 Stage. The stadium, which dates back to the 5th century, is also in good condition, some of the seats are still there. It was built on a natural depression and its measures are 180x22 meters. The stadium also reached water for the athletes and spectators. Every four years, the Asklepieia games, which were part of the Panhellenic Games, took place in this stadium.
- 7 Fountains. At this point there are two fountains built in the third century BC. as a water distribution center in the sanctuary. The water comes from the nearby mountain via an underground aqueduct. The first fountain is called sacred, while the second is called Doric due to the presence of Doric decorations. The fountains were then restored in Roman times.
- 8 Agios Ioannis (Christian basilica) (On the northernmost point of the site, next to the north propylaeus). It is a church that was built after the site was closed for the worship of Asclepius.
- 9 Asklepeion (temple of Asclepius). The asclepeion was divided into a sanctuary, and what today might be called a health resort or sanatorium. Medicine at the time took a holistic approach - believing that diseases of the body could only be cured if the mind was healthy. For this reason, an asclepieion would include a theater, library, stadium, and other cultural attractions.
- There were about 300 asclepeia in the classical world. But Epidaurus became the most famous healing center of all, attracting visitors from far away. This led to the construction of several impressive buildings and monuments.
- The asclepeion of Epidaurus is known to have existed in the 6th century BC. and reached its peak in the 4th and 3rd centuries BC. remaining popular even in the 4th century AD. Even after the rise of Christianity it continued to exist for some time as a center for Christian healing. However in the 6th century it was destroyed by earthquakes.
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- 10 Abaton (Enkoimeterion). The sacred space was accessible only to priests, while a part was open to the sick who entered it only after a ritual linked to healing. This space is located under the temple, like a sort of crypt, where the incubation took place, that is, we slept one night hoping that Asclepius or related entities would provide advice on the disease interpreted with the help of priests and employees. The structure measured 70x10 m and is of ancient foundation, probably around the middle of the sixth century BC. with subsequent modifications in the 4th century BC and in Roman times. In addition to the incubation room where there is a bench and representations of the sleep rite, there were other rooms for preparing for the night as well as latrines. The lateral staircase, which allowed access also had a symbolic function of descent towards the interior.
- 10 Abaton (Enkoimeterion). The sacred space was accessible only to priests, while a part was open to the sick who entered it only after a ritual linked to healing. This space is located under the temple, like a sort of crypt, where the incubation took place, that is, we slept one night hoping that Asclepius or related entities would provide advice on the disease interpreted with the help of priests and employees. The structure measured 70x10 m and is of ancient foundation, probably around the middle of the sixth century BC. with subsequent modifications in the 4th century BC and in Roman times. In addition to the incubation room where there is a bench and representations of the sleep rite, there were other rooms for preparing for the night as well as latrines. The lateral staircase, which allowed access also had a symbolic function of descent towards the interior.
- 11 Tholos. A circular building where the gods of health and fertility were worshiped built between 360 and 320 BC. Surrounded by two orders of Doric and Corinthian columns. In the center was a labyrinth.
- 12 Temple of Artemis. The presence of this temple also attests to the cult of Artemis, Apollo's sister since the 5th century BC. in this sanctuary second hypostasis of Artemis Hekate. The temple was unearthed in 1884 but it was built in the 4th century BC. The building consisted of 12 internal columns and a perimeter wall with Doric decorations. Some parts of the temple and decorations are preserved in the Epidaurus museum, while only a few shapeless stones remain on the spot.
- 13 Greek bath. The complex was built in 300 BC. and it was close to the pilgrim shelter buildings. The baths were also used in Roman times with additions to the building.
- 14 Stoa of Kotis. This stoa measures 63x31 m and was built in the 3rd century BC. The long colonnade takes its name from its donor and was also mentioned by Pausanias. In the 2nd century BC the Roman senator Antonino financed its restoration.
- 15 Roman thermal baths (Akoai). This building was used as a Roman baths, in fact its rooms are divided into rooms that allowed the frigidarium, the calidarium, the tepidarium and the sudatorium. The water came from the nearby fountain. It was renovated in the 2nd century AD. and some parts reworked.
- 16 North Propylaea. This was the entrance to the sanctuary of Asclepius, from here passed the pilgrims who came from Argolis to Epidaurus. The building consisted of six columns on each side and on both sides there were ramps for the passage of wagons. It was built in 300 BC. and rediscovered in 1893 together with other parts exhibited at the museum. Nearby there are wells, perhaps used for purification rites or just to quench their thirst.
- 17 Shrine of the Egyptian gods (Temple of Igeia, Apollo, Asclepius and the other Egyptian gods). The building has an unequal arrangement of rooms. In the center there is a large room divided into three parts and then some rooms, one of which is circular, perhaps used for initiation rites. This temple according to Pausanias was built for with the money of the Roman senator Antoninus in the 2nd century AD.
- 18 Epidoteion. Next to the fountains and therefore connected to the beneficial sense of the waters, there is a building dedicated to a divinity of well-being, connected to Asclepius. The building dates back to the 2nd century AD. while the oldest part of it dates back to the 4th century BC. The characteristic that distinguishes it is the semicircular pedestal in which the statues were answered.
What to do
- Athens and Epidaurus Festival, Panepistimiou 39. It takes place from mid-June to mid-September. The shows scheduled at the Epidaurus theater should not be missed.
Shopping
Where to eat
There are several soft drink and ice cream retailers at the entrance to the site. Or just go to the neighboring village of Lygourio.
- 1 Epidaurus Xenia, ☎ 30 2753 022218. Restaurant with outdoor seating.
- 2 Πρόπυλο - Καφέ Μπαρ (coffee bar), ☎ 30 2753 022217.
Where stay
Safety
How to keep in touch
Telephony
The area code is 30 2753
Around
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- 2 Church of San Giovanni (Ιερός Ναός Αγίου Ιωάννου του Ελεήμονα), Asklipiou, Ligourio. In the village at the entrance to the site there is a small Greek Orthodox church from the 12th century.
- 3 Kazarma Bridge, Leof street. Asklipiou 27 (located along the road that connects Nafplio to Epidaurus, not far from the municipality of Arkadiko). Mycenaean bridge built entirely of stone allowed for an easy passage along the Bronze Age road between Tiryns and Epidaurus
- 4 Lygourio Pyramid (North of Lygourio, near Epidaurus. Just before the church of Agia Marina.). Compared to the pyramid of Hellenikon (see under Argolis), this is more incomplete.
- 5 Tholos tomb of Kazarma, Leof street. Asklipiou (located along the road that connects Nafplio to Epidaurus, not far from the municipality of Arkadiko). Mycenaean tholos tomb whose findings are visible at the Archaeological Museum of Nafplio.
- Nafplio - seaside resort and old fortress
- Corinth - the city of the isthmus, home to an important archaeological site.
