The sanctuary of Asclepios at Epidaurus is a spiritual place worth traveling around the world to visit! In fact the ancient Greeks did just that in order to pay tribute to their spiritual entities in the face of Asclepios, and to ask the gods for remedies for their physical ailments. It was a healing center as well as a cultural center in ancient times. Epidaurus was built round the 3d Century BC and it is adorned with a multitude of buildings most famous of which is the ancient Theater of Epidaurus.
This is one of the very few theaters that retains its original circular "Orchestra" and it is a rear aesthetic sight. During Roman occupation of Greece, most theater "Orchestras" were changed from a circle to a semicircle but luckily The Theater at Epidaurus escaped intact. The view, aesthetics, and acoustics of the theater are breathtaking, as is the feeling I got when I sat on the ancient limestone stone seat--high up--and thought of all the ancients that might have shared this seat with me. The theater is still in use today with frequent plays, concerts, and festivals.
There is a small museum on site worth visiting for the statues and replicas it contains. It also provides a welcome relief from the relentless summer sun, and the simple water faucet outside of the museum provided about half hour of entertainment for my girls as they played with the water in mid afternoon. The ruins sanctuary of Asclepios is an extended arcaeological site with many interesting buildings and a newly excavated stadium. The most interesting building is by far the Tholos that unfortunately must be experienced by some distance since arcaeologists are working on resroring it.
Getting to Epidaurus is supposed to be easy from Nauplion. I however drove from Athens during my visit, and I followed the signs to the "Ancient Theater of Epidaurus" that I saw after Corinth. They kept popping up at regular internals on our drive as to ensure that we were on the right path. That was just as well because all other indications were that we were on a road to nowhere for a couple of hours. It took a enormous amount of time to get to Epidaurus through this road that was narrow, and with no sign of life (or gas stations) for hours. Next time I will try to go through Nauplion where the road is a bit wider and gas stations more frequent.
The site at Epidaurus is exposed to the elements (sun rays) and the climb through it can be challenging at times (though not as rough as Mycene), so proper attire is advised (sneakers-head gear-sunglasses), and a good supply of water and film as they are commodities not easily obtained once there. The entrance to the site would cost you about US$4 and I would advise to buy one of the simple maps, or guide books sold at the ticket counter.
Overall, Epidaurus provided me with a very rewarding visit, and the theater will be etched the back of my retinas for ever.
No comments:
Post a Comment