(tel. 27530 22009, 27530 22666)
The Archaeological Museum of Epidaurus is located within the Archaeological Site of the sanctuary of Asklepios in Epidaurus, which was the metropolis of all the Asklepios of the ancient world. It was built to house the many and important findings of the multi-year excavation of the Sanctuary of Asclepius (1881-1928), which was carried out by the archaeologist Panagi Kavadias and the Archaeological Society.
It is an elongated building, built between the ancient Theater and the rest of the sanctuary of Asklepios, on the south side of a small stream, successfully adapted from an aesthetic point of view to the natural, classical landscape of the sanctuary. The front and west sides end in double T-shaped two-story ends. The Museum consists of the vestibule and two long narrow halls. Furthermore, on its southern side, an additional shed was later built, which houses a large number of inscriptions.
The exhibits of the Museum date from the archaic to the Roman era. The type of exhibits varies and includes, inscriptions, medical tools, sims of ancient buildings, acrokerama, reliefs, large-sized statues but also many small-sized votives, as well as large parts of important ancient buildings from the sanctuary of Asklepios: a) Propylaia, b) Temple of Asclepius, c) Temple of Artemis, d) Dome of Epidaurus, e) as well as the important known incomplete Corinthian capital found near the Dome. Casts of important statues such as Hygia 4th BC are also exhibited in the Museum. h. of Aphrodite (Roman copy), Asclepius (Roman era), the pediments of the temple of Asclepius, the capes of the temple of Artemis as well as reliefs, which are in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.
The Museum is, among others, particularly important and original for the exposed parts of the ancient buildings and is one of the oldest Museums of Ancient Greek Architecture.
Author: Christos Piteros, archaeologist 4th EPKA
