The ancient theater of Epidavros
Epidavros Theater is one of the most important open theaters in the world. It boasts the best acoustics and has been standing for more than 4,500 years.
The sanctuary of Asclepios remains renowned all over the world for one main reason: the ancient theater of Epidavros, the best preserved Greek theater in the world.
Epidavros Theater
The ancient theater of Epidavros or Epidaurus was built in the 4th century BC and has 14,000 seats. It was never remodeled in the antiquity, and because it was relatively remote, its stones were never used and quarried for secondary building use.
The extraordinary qualities of the ancient theater of Epidavros (Epidaurus) were recognized even in the second century BC, when Pausanias, the early geographer and travel writer wrote:
“the Epidaurians have a theater in their sanctuary that seems to me to particularly worth a visit. The Roman theaters have gone far beyond the others in the world, but who can begin to rival Polykleitos for the beauty and composition of his architecture, or for the acoustics of the theater which are so perfect that even from the last of the 55 tiers every word can be heard.”
The quality of the site, the setting and the productions still performed in the theater are totally outstanding, which cannot be said for any other festival in Greece.
However, the rest of the archaeological site does not match the quality of the theater: the Temple of Asclepios is not well preserved and some copies of the sculptures are in the site museum, but the originals are in the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. Exhibits of the ancient medical implements are of interest if you visit the Museum in Athens.
Visit the Ancient Theater of Epidavros
You can visit the ancient theater of Epidavros with our: