EPIDAURUS

On a hillside, within the sanctuary, lies the theatre of Epidaurus (3rd c. BC), the most famous and best preserved of all the ancient theatres in Greece. It was designed by an architect named Polyklitos Junior. Built of limestone, it can seat 12,000 spectators. Ancient drama is perform every summer in this theatre. Here, the actors don't need to shout or speak loudly. The acoustics are so perfect.

The entrance to the sanctuary lies to the north of the theatre. Asklepios was worshipped here. Though he was a god, Zeus struck him down with his thunderbolt because he wanted to destroy death. Among the ruins, one can see the foundations of the temple of Asklepios (Doric, 4th c. BC), the guest house, the tholos, the Abaton or sleeping porch, the temples of Artemis and Themis, the gymnasium, etc.

The museum exhibits pieces from the tholos and the temple of Asklepeios, gypsum casts from pediments (sculptures by Timotheos), Roman portrait statues, inscriptions, medical and surgical instruments and exvotos. Many of the inscriptions are, in fact, prescriptions for medicines and descriptions of cures, valuable texts as far as the history of medicine is concerned.

Nafplio

We continued on to Nafplio. It used to be the capital of the newly formed Greek state from 1828 to 1834, before transferring to Athens. This old city with neoclassical houses, picturesque streets, wooden balconies, Turkish fountains with its fascinating mosques and outdoor cafes.