Epidauros

Epidaurus was a sanctuaty dedicated to the healing god, Asclepios, but is best known for its magnificent theater.
The main atttaction at Epidauros is, of course, its theater, reached after about a 200m uphill walk.  gr17 091311210 k rca This theater is beautiful because of its wooded surroundings. It is also huge, seating up to 14000 people.  gr17 091311211 k rca The theater is beautifully preserved (and restored) and is still used today for performances of plays and operas. One of those instrumental in saving it was the Greek soprano, Maria Callas.  gr17 091311232 k American tourist at Epidauros.  gr17 091311261 s
Upper level of the seats.  gr17 091311271 s Neither of us climbed as far up as the chicken loft.  gr17 091311272 k The steps/seats are beautiful in themselves.  gr17 091311260 k View of the scene from about half-way up. The acoustics are supposed to be wonderful, but we did not experiment.  gr17 091311311 k
As said, the setting is gorgeous.  gr17 091311350 k Wonder what kind of pines those are.  gr17 091311410 s Interesting that there are lots of trees here, but none to speak of on nearby hills.  gr17 091311440 s Statue of Hygeia with a snake around her shoulders. Hygeia was the daughter of Asclepios. Her snake has become the symbol of pharmacists the world over.  gr17 091311540 k
The museum houses copies of statues found in the Sanctuary of Asclepius. Yup, that's the same guy as the one to whom the sanctuary at Archaea Messini is dedicated.  gr17 091311531 s-a Another amazing statue.  gr17 091311550 s-bbb Ruins of the Temple of Asclepios.  gr17 091312032 k We got lost looking for Paleia Epidauros, but got this lovely view of it from above.  gr17 091312340 k
Paleia Epidauros is a natural port and there were still (off-season) a number of yachts there, including a Danish one. They had come via the Atlantic.  gr17 091312500 k Boats.  gr17 091312570 s Crooked boats.  gr17 091312571 s Boats in the harbor where we ate lunch -- fresh fish, of course.  gr17 091313001 s