How to visit the Theater of Epidaurus, World Heritage in Greece

Epidaurus It is one of the most visited destinations in the Peloponnesus.

When choosing interesting places in the Antiquity to meet in a sightseeing trip through greece, is always found Epidaurus at the top of the list, along with Mycenae, Olimpia y Maroon.

Specifically, the place that we all want to know and what the archaeological site is famous for is theater, One best preserved from ancient Greece.

However, theater It's just a part of Epidaurus since the place was, in reality, a sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius, god of medicine, which became the most important in this city-state.

This sanctuary was made up of different temples, hospitals, baths, libraries, accommodation and other facilities, among which was the theater.

Asclepius is the Greek name for God which we normally know as Aesculapius, which is its Roman name.

Theater of Epidaurus, World Heritage Site in Greece

It is considered that the set of Epidaurus provides exceptional testimony about the therapeutic cults in Greco-Roman times, and that's why Unesco included it in 1988 on the list of places Heritage.

It is interesting to note that in places like Epidaurus the ancient sanatorium cults were carried out, but also scientific medicine began to emerge.

It is considered that the Epidaurus It is the oldest organized sanatorium and, furthermore, the most important therapeutic center in the Antiquity.

the cult of Asclepius o Aesculapius It was widely accepted throughout the classical Mediterranean world and there were hundreds of sanctuaries dedicated to it. God.

A very important one was the one that can be visited in Pergamon, in the current Türkiye.

The wealth it generated explains why a such spectacular theater.

In addition to its cultural and historical importance, it must be added that it is located in a very beautiful and well-preserved natural area, which adds interest to the visit.

Furthermore, the theater has been very well restored and since 1954 it has hosted a summer classical theater festival, something that reminds us of the one celebrated in the Roman theater of Merida.

Curiosities history of Epidaurus in Greece

the cult of Asclepius would have been introduced into Epidaurus in the 6th century BC associated with those of Apolo and some local divinity related to the healing of diseases in the Mycenaean era.

During the 5th century BC Asclepius He was already the main divinity in everything related to the treatment and healing of the sick.

The success of this sanctuary was such that in the 4th century BC the temples of Asclepius, Sagebrush and tholos after hiring the most important architects and sculptors of the time.

These structures generated the admiration of all their contemporaries.

At the end of that century, the sports facilities and the famous theater were built.

Between the 4th centuries BC and 4th AD, Epidaurus became a pilgrimage center for the sick who were seeking healing.

Starting in the 2nd century AD, the sanctuary began to lose its religious character and become a kind of rest center where you could enjoy the hot springs and shows, as well as the beautiful surrounding landscapes.

What to see when visiting Epidaurus in Peloponnese (Greece)

Currently, the entrance to the venue is from the side of the theater, when in the Antiquity It was done at the opposite end.

The ticket office is located right between the Archaeological Museum y theater.

Archaeological Museum of Epidaurus in Peloponnese

We can start by making a short visit the museum, which is relatively small, and where you can see a collection of stelae showing different types of inscriptions.

The very diverse origin of the people who commissioned these dedications demonstrates the fame that the sanctuary had in the Greco-Roman era, in which it attracted travelers from different places.

La collection of surgery instruments confirms the evolution of a religious sanctuary into a therapeutic center.

What the Theater of Epidaurus is like in Peloponnese

You immediately reach the ,, which is undoubtedly the most attractive and attractive part of the set.

It was built in the 4th century BC by Polykleitus the Younger and restored between 1954 and 1963, so that it is now practically complete.

Their acoustic qualities They are perfect and host periodically music and poetry shows plus Theater displays.

Normally you can see its perfect acoustics since many visitors try to speak or recite a few phrases from the center of the stage.

Even in the last row of the stands his words can be heard perfectly.

A surprising aspect, according to archaeologists, is that there were hardly any changes in the Roman era, so it is essentially a greek theater.

La orchestra, the circular space where the choir, preserves in its center the remains of an altar dedicated to D.

La cellar, ultra-semicircular standsHas 52 rows of seats.

After enjoying the vision and probably the acoustics of the theater and the views from the top, we can continue with the visit to the rest of the venue.

What is the katogogéion of Epidaurus?

The first thing we will find are the remains of katogogéion, an immense structure that was a hotel facility where visitors who did not participate in rituals or therapies at the sanctuary stayed.

It is estimated that he had 160 rooms.

Ancient sports complex of Epidaurus

Then you reach the Epidaurus sports complex, where the gymnasium, the arena and the bathrooms were, and in a natural valley is located the stadium.

El Epidaurus gymnasium It was used above all by the sick, who carried out the exercises prescribed by the priests of the sanctuary here.

With dimensions of 70 by 75 meters, it must have been an imposing structure. Above him rose the roman odeon.

Doric Temple of Artemis at Epidaurus

Beyond we came to the limits of the sanctuary itself.

The first thing we find are the remains of the temple of Artemis, which had some large doric columns.

Temple of Asclepius at Epidaurus

El Temple of Asclepius It was of relatively modest dimensions, 24 by 13 meters, but was admired for its elegance and luxurious interior and exterior decoration.

It had 11 columns on its long sides and six on the short ones.

Inside was the chryselephantine statue of Asclepius, which copied the model of the great statue of Zeus in Olympia.

Tholos, circular temple at Epidaurus

One of the most important structures in Epidaurus, tholos, is in the middle of the reconstruction process and can barely be seen.

Su circular plant It tells us about the search for elegance and new formulas in architecture that began at the end of the classical era.

Next tholos The remains of a long, narrow structure that was the building where the sick who came to the sanctuary were housed stand out.

Beyond, a path enters the forest and allows access to some isolated structures such as the propylaeans, the place where in the Antiquity The sanctuary was accessed after walking along a sacred path.

Schedule to visit Epidaurus in Peloponnese

El archaeological site of Epidaurus Open every day of the week for visits.

The Visiting hours of Epidaurus They are, from April to August, from 8 a.m. to 20 p.m.

Starting on September 1, the closing time begins to progressively advance, depending on the time of sunset, and when winter ends, the opposite process begins until returning to summer time.

Epidaurus ticket prices

El entrance price to visit Epidaurus It is 12 euros from April to October, and 6 euros from November to March.