World Heritage Photos

The Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus is located on the Peloponnese peninsula in Greece. The Sanctuary of Asklepios is dedicated to Asclepius, the ancient Greek god of medicine and healing. From the 4th century BC, Epidaurus became the most famous healing centre in the Greek and Roman world. The Sanctuary of Asklepios was devoted to the cult of healing. Several important buildings were nuilt, such as the Thymele of Epidaurus or Tholos, the Temple of Asklepios and a stadium and theatre. The theatre of Epidaurus is one of the prominent monuments of ancient Greece. The theatre was built in 340-330 BC. Festivals were held in honour of Asclepius, dramas were staged in the theatre and competitions were held in the stadium. Even today, festivals are held in the theatre of Epidaurus. It is one of the best preserved ancient theatres in the world. The theatre of Epidaurus is known for its exceptional acoustics. Guides drop a pin on the stage floor and you can hear it hit the ground from anywhere in the theatre. The theatre of Epidaurus can accommodate about 14,000 spectators. There are several ancient sanctuaries in Greece, but the most famous are situated in Delphi, Epidaurus and Olympia. The Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus gained the status as a UNESCO World Heritage in 1988.

www.werelderfgoedfotos.nl   © Copyright   World Heritage Photos

➔

➔

1. 

   Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus: The theatre of Epidaurus was built in the 4th century BC. The Sanctuary of Asklepios was dedicated to Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine and healing. From the 4th century BC, Epidaurus became the most famous healing centre in the Greek and Roman world. Several important buildings were erected at Epidaurus, such as the theatre. The theatre is the best preserved monument at the Sanctuary of Asklepios.

2. 

   The Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus is situated in southern Greece. The sanctuary is famous for its theatre, one of the best preserved ancient theatres in the world. The theatre of Epidaurus has also one of the few ancient circular stages in the world. The stage is roughly twenty metres in diameter. The theatre was built on a slope of Mount Kynortion. The Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988.

3. 

   The circular stage of the Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus and the marble entrance gate on the western side of the theatre, as seen from the upper seats. There is a marble gate on both the western and the eastern side of the theatre. The gate on the western side was only used by artists from Epidaurus itself, the gate situated on the eastern side was only used by artists from outside the city.

4. 

   Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus: The ancient theatre of Epidaurus was built on the slope of a mountain, overlooking the sanctuary. The natural slope of the mountain was used to increase the acoustics of the theatre. The monumental structure is a magnificent example of an ancient Greek theatre. It is famous for its architectural symmetry and its perfect acoustics. The theatre had 55 rows of seats, divided into 36 blocks by stairways and walkways.

5. 

   Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus: A bench with an arm rest and a back on the first row of the theatre. These benches were exclusively reserved for important guests and dignitaries. Unlike other ancient theatres, the theatre of Epidaurus was not modernized during the Roman period in Greece, the theatre of Epidaurus retained it original form. The seats were made of limestone, this material improved the sounds in the theatre.

6. 

   The limestone seats of the theatre at the Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus. The sanctuary is renowned for its ancient theatre. For many centuries, the theatre was covered by trees. It was excavated in 1881. The theatre survived remarkable well and is one of the finest examples of an ancient Greek theatre. Today, the ancient theatre is used for modern theatre plays, the Athens Epidaurus Festival has been held annually since 1954.

7. 

   Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus: The theatre of Epidaurus and its circular stage viewed from the 55th row. The ancient theatre can accommodate about 14,000 spectators, the theatre is well known for its exceptional acoustics. Guides drop a pin on the stage floor and you can hear it hit the ground from anywhere in the theatre, even from the highest row. In the past, festivals were held in honour of Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine healing, and dramas were staged.

8. 

   Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus: The restorated Tholos or the Thymele of Epidaurus, in the background the colonnade of the Abaton, the dormitory where the ill and injured people slept, hoping that Asklepios would visit them in dreams and provide healing. Patients were also cured by surgery and the use of herbs. The tholos was a circular building, built in the 4th century BC. Beneath the floor was a labyrinth and a sacred well, accessible through a hole in the floor. 

9. 

   Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus: Restoration works on a Doric column of the Temple of Asklepios. The Doric temple was erected in the 4th century BC and dedicated to the Greek god Asclepius. The Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus houses several ancient buildings such as the Temple of Asklepios, the Tholos or the Thymele of Epidaurus, an ancient stadium and a theatre. The Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus was declared a UNESCO World Heritage in 1988. 

10. 

    Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus: The remains of the Temple of Asklepios covered with sand to protect it from frost damage. The Doric temple was six columns by eleven columns. The cult statue of Asklepios, made of gold and ivory, once stood inside the temple, this statue does not exist anymore. Archaeologists restored and reconstructed one of the corners of the Temple of Asklepios. The sanctuary was looted by the Romans in the first century BC.

11. 

    The stadium at the Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus. The ancient sanctuary is situated on the Peloponnese, a large peninsula in southern Greece. The buildings of the sanctuary were erected in a valley surrounded by wooded mountains. The sanctuary was connected to the ancient town of Epidaurus by a road, the ancient road partly still exist. The Epidaurus Archaeological Museum houses objects found during excavations at the site, among them ancient medical tools. 

12. 

    Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus: The Tholos or the Thymele of Epidaurus, on the right hand side the colonnade of the Abaton. There are several buildings in the sanctuary, among the most important buildings are the Thymele of Epidaurus and the theatre. The Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus was a religious and therapeutic centre dedicated to the Greek god Asklepios. It is said that in Epidaurus the transition from divine healing to scientific medicine took place.