Thousands of years ago, the Asclepios (that was the name of the Asclepius Healing Rooms) at Epidaurus was the most important health resort center of the ancient world.
It was here, in search of help from the healing god Asclepius, that a great number of visitors flocked from all over the known universe of the Greeks. It was said that they went to Epidaurus to "breathe the delicious air" - indeed, the abundance of different vegetation on these mountainous slopes creates a unique "cocktail" of smells that is still "delicious" to breathe to this day.
The treatment consisted of several stages. In the first place was the spiritual recovery of the patient, self-improvement and formation of personality. That is why up to the present day the greatest attraction of Epidaurus is undoubtedly the ancient theater, which existed already in the 7th century B.C. and has been excellently preserved up to the present day. The unique feature of the theater is the fantastic acoustics. Despite the fact that it has 55 rows and can seat almost 14,000 spectators, the whispering and rustling of leaves can be heard from the stage even in the very back rows! Every year in July there are musical performances as part of the Athens Summer Festival of Ancient Greek Theater. Interestingly, during the performances no sound amplifying equipment is used - the natural acoustics of this ancient theater is enough!
The second stage of treatment in the Asklepion of Epidaurus was in the temple complex of Aesculapius (so the Romans called the Greek god Asclepius), where there was the famous "tolos", with a maze of snakes, "stoa" and other sacred buildings, fragmentarily preserved to this day and open to curious travelers.
There is a small museum next to the ancient theater of Epidaurus (open Thursday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. in summer and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in winter; admission fee is included in the ticket price of the entire archaeological park).
By bus from Athens or Nafplion
In summer by ferry from the port of Piraeus
