Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus
Epidauros, Greece
07.05.2019
Asklepios-Heiligtum bei Epidauros, Greece
The Asklepios Sanctuary in Epidauros, located in the Peloponnese region of Greece, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that boasts a rich history and remarkable architecture. It is dedicated to Asklepios, the Greek god of healing, and was one of the most prominent healing centers in ancient Greece.
The site is believed to have been founded in the 6th century BCE and quickly became a popular destination for those seeking healing. It was said that the god Asklepios himself would appear in dreams to offer cures to the sick. The sanctuary was also home to a renowned healing center, where patients were treated with a combination of natural remedies, psychotherapy, and physical therapy. The techniques used at the sanctuary were so advanced that many historians consider it to be the birthplace of modern medicine.
The most impressive structure at the Asklepios Sanctuary is the Theater of Epidauros, which was built in the 4th century BCE. It is renowned for its remarkable acoustics, which allow a performer's voice to be heard even in the highest rows of the theater. The theater could seat up to 14,000 spectators and was used for musical and theatrical performances, as well as religious ceremonies.
The sanctuary also includes other impressive structures, such as the Temple of Asklepios, the Tholos, and the Propylaea. These buildings showcase the architectural and artistic excellence of the ancient Greeks, with intricate carvings and detailed sculptures.
Today, the Asklepios Sanctuary at Epidauros continues to attract visitors from all over the world. Its well-preserved structures and peaceful surroundings make it a popular destination for those interested in history, architecture, and ancient healing practices.
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In a small valley in the Peloponnesus, the shrine of Asklepios, the god of medicine, developed out of a much earlier cult of Apollo (Maleatas), during the 6th century BC at the latest, as the official cult of the city state of Epidaurus. Its principal monuments, particularly the temple of Asklepios, the Tholos and the Theatre - considered one of the purest masterpieces of Greek architecture – date from the 4th century. The vast site, with its temples and hospital buildings devoted to its healing gods, provides valuable insight into the healing cults of Greek and Roman times.
The Sanctuary of Asclepius was a sanctuary in Epidaurus dedicated to Asclepius. Especially in the Classical and Hellenistic periods, it was the main holy site of Asclepius. The sanctuary at Epidaurus was the rival of such major cult sites as the Sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia and Apollo at Delphi. The temple was built in the early 4th century BC. If still in use by the 4th century AD, the temple would have been closed during the persecution of pagans in the late Roman Empire, when the Christian Emperors issued edicts prohibiting non-Christian worship. In 1988, the temple was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List because of its exceptional architecture and its importance in the development and spread of healing sanctuaries (asclepeia) throughout classical antiquity. It was excavated between 1881 and 1928 by Panagiotis Kavvadias (and, from 1887, Valerios Stais), and between 1948 and 1951 by John Papadimitriou.
