Epidaurus was a sanctuaty dedicated to the healing god, Asclepios, but is best known for its magnificent theater.
1 The main atttaction at Epidauros is, of course, its theater, reached after about a 200m uphill walk.
2 This theater is beautiful because of its wooded surroundings. It is also huge, seating up to 14000 people.
3 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.
4 American tourist at Epidauros.
5 Upper level of the seats.
6 Neither of us climbed as far up as the chicken loft.
7 The steps/seats are beautiful in themselves.
8 View of the scene from about half-way up. The acoustics are supposed to be wonderful, but we did not experiment.
9 As said, the setting is gorgeous.
10 Wonder what kind of pines those are.
11 Interesting that there are lots of trees here, but none to speak of on nearby hills.
12 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.
13 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.
14 Another amazing statue.
15 Ruins of the Temple of Asclepios.
16 We got lost looking for Paleia Epidauros, but got this lovely view of it from above.
17 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.
18 Boats.
19 Crooked boats.
20 Boats in the harbor where we ate lunch -- fresh fish, of course.
