You wouldn’t be blamed for wanting to spend all your time in Nafplio as it is an enticing city but the wider area has many stories to tell. Some of Greece’s greatest ancient sights are packed into the Argolid peninsula, a fabulous land of history and myth.
In ancient times Epidaurus was known for its Sanctuary of Asclepios, a healing centre, and today the beautifully preserved theatre standing amid a pine forest remains one of the most popular sights thanks to its annual theatre festival. The Myceneans had their home here and left their mark, as did the citizens of Argos, still the economic powerhouse of the region.
Epidaurus
The theatre of Epidaurus is so well preserved that it is the setting for an acclaimed summer drama festival that attracts international productions. Buried for centuries beneath a slope of trees, and only discovered in the 1881, it was never remodelled or looted for its marble, so it has remained much as it would have been 2,500 years ago. Built in the 4th century BC by the architect Polykletos, the theatre can seat 14,000 guests and the acoustics are so good that even theatregoers in the top 55th tier can hear every line perfectly. A magnificent example of a Hellenistic theatre with an orchestra, theatron, and skene, the stage is 20 metres wide while the concave seats span 58 metres.
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