Only 3.5 km (2.2 miles) from the town, one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece, it was one of the three most famous Asklepias of antiquity (the other two were in Epidaurus and Thessaly). It functioned as a sanatorium dedicated to healing deities such as Apollo, his son Asklepius, and Hygeia.
In the 5th century BC Hippocrates, the man who transformed medicine from a magical-religious practice into a true science, began teaching and treating here. The Asklepieion was constantly supplied with water from two springs that still flow in its hearths. The ancient sanatorium is spread over three levels, separated by retaining walls and connected by marble steps. Scattered ruins of altars, shrines, baths, entire columns of temples, stonework of houses and hospitality areas are preserved. The first excavations began in 1902 and in 1930 the Italians carried out extensive restorations.
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