In its day Epidavros, 30km east of Nafplio, was famed and revered as far away as Rome as a place of miraculous healing. Visitors came great distances to the tranquil sanctuary of Asclepius (god of medicine) to seek a cure for their ailments. Today visitors are drawn more to the World Heritage site's amazingly well-preserved theatre , which remains a venue during the Hellenic Festival for Classical Greek plays, first performed here up to 2000 years ago.
Apollo was worshipped at Epidavros in Mycenaean and Archaic times, but by the 4th century BC he had been superseded by his son. Epidavros became acknowledged as the birthplace of Asclepius. Although the afflicted worshipped Asclepius at sanctuaries throughout Greece, the two most important sites were at Epidavros and on the island of Kos. The fame of the Epidavros sanctuary spread, and when a plague raged in Rome, Livy and Ovid came to Epidavros to seek help.
It is believed that licks from snakes were one of the curative practices at the sanctuary. Asclepius is normally shown with a serpent, which – by renewing its skin – symbolises rejuvenation. Other treatments provided at the sanctuary involved diet instruction, herbal medicines and occasionally even surgery. The sanctuary also served as an entertainment venue and every four years, during the Festival of Asclepieia, Epidavros hosted dramas and athletic competitions.
