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The Great Theatre of Epidaurus, Epidavros

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The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is a theatre in the Greek city of Epidaurus, located on the southeast end of the sanctuary dedicated to the ancient Greek God of medicine, Asclepius. It is built on the west side of Cynortion Mountain, near modern Lygourio, and belongs to the Epidaurus Municipality. It is considered to be the most perfect ancient Greek theatre with regard to acoustics and aesthetics.
According to Pausanias, the ancient theatre was constructed by the architect Polykleitos the Younger. Pausanias praises the theatre for its symmetry and beauty. At a maximum capacity of 13,000 to 14,000 spectators, the theatre hosted music, singing and dramatic games that were included in the worship of Asclepius. It was also used as a means to heal patients, since there was a belief that the observation of dramatic shows had positive effects on mental and physical health.
Today, the monument attracts a large number of Greek and foreign visitors and is used for the performance of ancient drama plays. The first modern performance conducted at the theatre was Sophocles's tragedy Electra. It was played in 1938, directed by Dimitris Rontiris, starring Katina Paxinou and Eleni Papadaki.

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The Great Theatre of Epidaurus Reviews

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• By karedbike

  Le théâtre, le site et les musées sont magnifiques. On est impressionné par ce théâtre qui a traversé les siècles et par son acoustique fabuleuse. Les marchés ou les sièges ont été reconstruits par en...  more »

  The theatre, the site and the museums are beautiful. We are impressed by this theatre that has passed through the centuries and by its fabulous acoustics. The markets or seats have been rebuilt in places, a beautiful concrete carnage. The museum is exceptional. The archaeological site is also exceptional.
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• By Paolo C

  Ricordo con nitidezza, nonostante siano passati quasi 30 anni, una foto del Teatro di Epidauro sul mio testo di storia dell'Arte al liceo, autore Giulio Carlo Argan, e la descrizione del teatro stesso...  more »

  I remember with sharpness, despite almost 30 years, a photo of the Theatre of Epidaur on my text of art history in high school, author Giulio Carlo Argan, and the description of the theater itself that was called "an example of acoustic perfection". Our senses could be satisfied by the vision of this work of art of antiquity and human genius.
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• By Anna Dermitzaki

  Do not miss this one in a lifetime opportunity. Amazing theater with great acoustics. Almost all the plays have over-titles. Go early, as been late here will not be appropriate. If you can, bring a small pillow to sit on as the seats can be uncomfortable.

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• By Rick B

  The Greeks built something special here. If you have the opportunity to see it do not pass it up. 2400 years it has stood with perfect acoustics - simply amazing

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