Epidaurus – Ancient Theatre
Among the greatest monuments of Greek Antiquity, the famous Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is situated within the archaeological site of the Sanctuary of Asklepios, in the Argolis prefecture in Peloponnese, a half-hour drive from Nafplion and approximately two hours from Athens.
It is the finest and most renowned of its kind, it combines perfect acoustics with elegance and symmetrical proportions, qualities praised already in the 2nd century AD by traveller and geographer Pausanias. During the overall construction of the Asklepios sanctuary, the theatre was built at the end of the classical era, in 340-330 BC.
Though earth-covered, the monument remained visible for centuries; it was fully uncovered during the 1881-1883 excavations by P.Kavvadias.
Since 1954, the theater is hosting each summer the Athens & Epidaurus festival, mainly ancient drama performances, celebrated as a major international theatrical event.
The ancient theatre of Epidaurus, famous for its acoustics
A little before the beginning of a performance in the Epidaurus theatre
From the performance ‘Ornithes’ (‘Birds’ by Aristophanes) directed in 1959 by K. Koun
- August 2014: The Frogs by Aristophanes | The Bacchae by Euripides
- July 2014: Helen by Euripides | Prometheus Bound by Aeschylus | Philoctetes by Sophocles | Hippolytus by Euripides
- August 2013: Greek Festival: Euripides, Cyclops | Greek Festival: Sophocles, The Trachiniae | Greek Festival: Spyridon Peresiadis, Golfo | Greek Festival: Euripides, Troades (The Trojan Women)
- July 2013: Greek Festival: Euripides, Medea | Greek Festival: Aristophanes, Ploutos | Greek Festival: Menander, The Girl from Samos (Samia) | Greek Festival: Aristophanes, Peace
- August 2012: Molière, Amphitryon | Aristophanes, The Birds
- July 2012: Sophocles, Oedipus Rex | Aristophanes, The Clouds (‘Nepheles’) | Aristophanes, The Knights | Aristophanes, Ecclesiazusae
