Vacation Packages to Epidaurus

General Information about Epidaurus

Epidaurus was a small city located in the region of Argolid, Greece. It is known for its theater which was built in the 4th century BC and is considered one of the most important and best-preserved Greek theaters, noted for its exceptional acoustics, which allowed speakers to be heard anywhere in the theater.

The theater of Epidaurus had a capacity of about 14,000 spectators and was used for theatrical performances and musical competitions during religious festivities in honor of Asclepius, the god of medicine.

In addition to the theater, the archaeological site of Epidaurus includes the sanctuary of Asclepius, which included a temple and a building for patients, who sought healing of their ailments through dreams and sacred rituals.

Epidaurus is a major tourist and cultural destination in Greece and is considered an outstanding example of ancient Greek art and architecture.

The Ancient History of Epidaurus

Epidaurus was founded in the 4th century BC as an important center for the worship of Asclepius, the god of medicine in Greek mythology. The sanctuary of Asclepius became a center of healing and medicine in antiquity, and patients came from all over Greece to seek treatment for their illnesses.

The theater of Epidaurus was built in the 4th century BC and became an important cultural and entertainment center. During religious festivals, theatrical performances and music competitions were held in the theater, and spectators came from all over Greece to witness them.

Epidaurus was an important religious and cultural center during Hellenistic and Roman times, and its ruins have been excavated and restored over the centuries. Despite damage from earthquakes and erosion, many of the original buildings and structures, including the theater and the sanctuary of Asclepius, are still standing.

Today, the theater and sanctuary of Epidaurus are major tourist and cultural destinations in Greece, attracting thousands of visitors each year. The exceptional acoustics of the theater still impress visitors and it is used for concerts and modern theatrical performances.

Must-see Sites of Interest

There are several sites of interest at the archaeological site of Epidaurus, some of which include:

The Theater of Epidaurus is one of the most important and best preserved in Greece. The theater's exceptional acoustics still impress visitors, and it is used for concerts and modern theatrical performances.

The Sanctuary of Asclepius was a center of healing and medicine in ancient times, and patients came from all over Greece to seek treatment for their illnesses. The remains of the sanctuary include a temple, a building for patients, and a sacred well.

The portico of Epidaurus is a colonnaded structure surrounding the theater and sanctuary. It was a place for trade and social gatherings, and visitors could rest and have refreshments before or after a theatrical performance or musical competition.

Epidaurus also had a running track that was used for athletic competitions during religious festivals. The remains of the track include the starting line and the finish line, and stone benches can be seen where spectators sat to watch the races.

The Epidaurus Sampler is a small display of ancient artifacts found at the site, including pottery, statues, and reliefs. It is an interesting place to learn more about the history and culture of ancient Greece.

Culture of Epidaurus

Epidaurus was an important center of culture and religion in ancient Greece. 

Ancient Greek culture in general was characterized by its love of arts and letters, and this was reflected in the theatrical and musical performances in the theater of Epidaurus. 

The architecture and engineering in the sanctuary and theater of Epidaurus also testify to the technical skill and knowledge of the ancient Greeks.

In addition, the remains of the running track at Epidaurus show the importance of athletic competitions and the importance of physical fitness in ancient Greece. 

The culture of Epidaurus is a showcase of the rich and diverse history and culture of ancient Greece and continues to be an important site for the study and exploration of ancient history and culture.

Myths of Epidaurus

There are several myths associated with the sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus. 

According to mythology, Asclepius was born of the goddess of love, Aphrodite, and the god of war, Mars. As the son of two important gods, Asclepius became the god of medicine and healing.

In addition, Asclepius is said to have performed his first healing miracle at the sanctuary of Epidaurus, and this made him a very important figure in Greek religion. Patients came from all over Greece to seek treatment and healing at the sanctuary.

In another myth, Asclepius was killed by Zeus for reviving a dead man. However, it is said that Asclepius was later resurrected and raised to the heavens to become a god.

It was also believed that patients who spent the night at Asclepius' shrine received visions and dreams that provided direction and healing. Patients often bathed in the sacred well and offered sacrifices to Asclepius before going to sleep.

Festivals in Epidaurus

In ancient Greece, Epidaurus was famous for its annual festivals in honor of Asclepius, the god of medicine and healing. These festivals were a combination of religious rituals and entertainment and attracted thousands of visitors from all over Greece.

These were some of the festivals celebrated in ancient Epidaurus.

The Festival of Asclepius was an annual festival held in honor of Asclepius and focused on healing rituals and sacrifices to the gods. During the festival, patients sought healing at the sanctuary and participated in processions and offerings to the gods.

The annual Epidaurus Theater Festival included theatrical performances and musical competitions. The theater of Epidaurus, built in the sanctuary, is one of the oldest and best-preserved Greek theaters and is still used for theatrical performances in the summer.

The Asclepius Games were held annually and included sporting and athletic competitions, such as running, jumping, and wrestling. The winners of the competitions received prizes in the form of medals and statues.

How to Get to Epidaurus

There are several options for getting to Epidaurus, depending on your location and transportation preference. Here are some of them:

From the airplane, you will find the closest airport to Epidaurus about a 2-hour drive away and that is Athens. 

There are regular buses from Athens to Epidaurus that take approximately 2.5 hours. The Athens bus station is in Liossion Square, and from there you can take a bus to Epidaurus.

Although there is no direct train line to Epidaurus, you can take a train from Athens to the village of Kiato and then take a bus or cab to Epidaurus.

If you prefer to have more control and flexibility, you can rent a car in Athens and drive to Epidaurus. The drive takes about 2 hours and is a beautiful route along the coast.

What to See and Do in Epidaurus

Epidaurus is known for its impressive ancient architecture and is also a vibrant and active place today, which is why many travelers choose to visit this historic site when organizing their trip.

Also, because of its proximity to destinations like Athens and Nafplio that tourists from all over the world choose to combine their travel packages to Epidaurus with these sites. 

At Greca you will find that there are packages for all tastes.

Are you ready to get to know one of the most historic cities in Greece? Do you want to be fascinated by the myths that reside in archaeological sites? Do you want to be fascinated by stunning Greek architecture?

Then don't wait any longer and start a new adventure in Epidaurus!