Finally, we can enjoy the spring. The weather truly started to be warmer, and I already saw people swimming in the sea. Our days are full of joy, sunshine and a good mood. It cannot be otherwise in this wonderful corner of the earth. At the same time, I understand that our time in Greece is coming to an end. Soon we will pack our bags again. But while we are still here, our days are full of walking and discovering new things and places. Kids are also happy to see new places, so we packed some snacks, took water and sat in our car heading to Epidaurus.
So, we visited a place of strength and health - Epidaurus, a city in Greece, located in the northeast of the Peloponnesian Peninsula. While being there, we loved traveling around the Peloponnese by car, and this trip was no exception. There is a large free parking lot near the amphitheater.
Why is Epidaurus protected by UNESCO? What wonders of the world are hidden under the ruins of an ancient city? Surprisingly, it even hosts the best troupes in the world on its stage, although this theater is 2300 years old. Why is the ancient theater there so unique? How has the snake cult of ancient Epidaurus affected us today? Which deity “healed” many years before our era? Epidaurus is one of the centers of the birth of medicine in its modern sense and a real place of pilgrimage.
Epidaurus - this city, which once had an influence in Ancient Greece, in addition to its fabulous landscapes, attracts tourists with the opportunity to visit the ancient theater and the Temple of Asclepius. Greece is a country where the past is closely intertwined with the present. In the theater, in which the wards of the priests of Asclepius gained strength by watching performances, they still give performances. At the same time, the theater looks the same as before.
The amphitheater amazed us with its size and functionality that has been preserved over so many centuries. As well as its incredible acoustics. Here everyone can see the technical achievements of the ancient Greeks. If you stand in the center of the stage and quietly say or sing something, you will be heard in all parts of the theater. Even if you just clap your hands, they will still be heard at the very top.
The scale of the theater is enormous; in ancient times it was designed for 15,000 people. The theater was divided into two parts: 21 rows were intended for ordinary poor people, and 34 lower rows for priests and rich nobility.
Later, we visited Asklepion. The Asklepion of Epidaurus was the most famous sanctuary in ancient times, dedicated to the god of medicine, Asclepius. The sick and wounded came here from different parts of the Greek world, seeking healing from the hand of Asclepius. But it was also a place of high culture, since healing procedures were aimed not only at the body, but also at the spirit. Even the very location of the sanctuary - in a peaceful valley surrounded by a pine forest in the north-east of the Peloponnese, in the Argolis region, also had its own healing effect.
It is impossible to perceive it as a full-fledged city - it is an ancient city, people do not live in it and there is no infrastructure, only the famous ruins of an ancient theater, an ancient stadium, the Temple of Asclepius, an interesting archaeological museum and a number of buildings associated with the name of the healing god Asclepius. There are a lot of places to walk around and enjoy. There is a small settlement nearby.
The impression of the theater and museum is very strong, unforgettable. If possible, I recommend everyone to come and plunge into the atmosphere of the ancient theater. However, I do not recommend going there in hot weather because the theater is located in the open scorching sun, and in summer, the heat should be unbearable.
I really love sights like this, where every stone is imbued with the spirit of history. We truly had a great time here with our kids and tested the theater's strength.
A walk through the Epidaurus area was for us both a fascinating and educational journey into the distant past.
Tired but full of new impressions, we came back home long late enough. Our kids were sleepy and bigger parts of the road back were sleeping in the car. But the next day they were asking for a new trip to unknown land.
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