Epidauros Theatre

The theater at Epidauros, built against the slopes of Mt Kynortion, is remarkable for its excellent state of preservation and for its fine acoustics. A. von Gerkan's investigations have shown that it does not date from the fourth century B.C., as had been supposed on the basis of Pausanias's account. The lower part, up to the semicircular gangway, with its tiers of seats divided by staircases into twelve wedge-shaped sections, was built in the early third century and the upper part added in the second century, giving the theater a total capacity of 14,000 seats.

Picture - Panorama of ancient Greek theater Epidauros.

View a slideshow of Epidauros Theatre Pictures

In the center is the circular orchestra. Of the stage building (skene) only scanty remains survive; on either side were ramps leading up to the roof of the proskenion, which was used as a raised part of the stage. The entrances for the chorus (parodoi), between the stage and the walls of the auditorium, lead into the theater through ceremonial doorways. A festival of drama is held annually (July and August) in the ancient theater, including performances in classical Greek.

Related Attractions

Katagogion

From the theater at Epidauros we walk past the museum to the remains of the Katagogion, a large guesthouse or hostel 76.3m/250ft square, which had 160 rooms on two floors. 100m/110yd west of this are baths and, just to the north, a Gymnasion (76m/249ft square) which was converted into an Odeion in Roman times. In the central square, approached from the north by a sacred way passing through propylaia, are the principal buildings of the sanctuary, surrounded by stoas in which pilgrims slept while awaiting cure: the Doric temple of Asklepios (380-375 B.C.) and the circular Tholos (360-330 B.C.) by Polykleitos the Younger. Of the Tholos only the foundations survive, with a system of concentric passages in which the snakes sacred to Asklepios may have been kept. A clearer impression of this building, which was notable for its lavish decoration, can be got from a partial reconstruction in the last room of the Museum.

Epidavria Festival

The Epidavria are a series of performances of ancient Greek drama, presented in the ancient open-air theater at Epidaurus, renowned for its exceptional acoustics which carry clearly to the furthest of its 14,000 seats.

The performances given here are considered to be among the best in the world.

The annual festival is held between July and September.

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