The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus: The Most Perfect Theatre of Antiquity
At the foot of Mount Kynortion, near modern-day Lygourio, stands Greece's most famous ancient theatre. The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is considered — almost unanimously, from archaeologists to casual visitors — the most perfect ancient Greek theatre in terms of harmony and acoustics.
If you've heard the story that you can hear a whisper or the tearing of paper from the very last row, it's not just legend — it's the genuine experience of thousands of visitors every year.
History and Construction
The theatre was built as part of the general reconstruction of the Sanctuary of Asklepios, around 340-330 BC, in the final years of the Classical period. According to the traveller Pausanias, it was the work of architect Polykleitos the Younger — the same architect who designed the Tholos in the same sanctuary.
Construction happened in two phases:
- Late 4th century BC: the orchestra, the lower part of the cavea (12 sections, 34 rows of seats), and the theatre's first stage building were constructed. Capacity at the time: roughly 8,000 spectators.
- Mid-2nd century BC: the cavea was extended upward (22 additional sections, 21 rows of seats), raising capacity to 13,000-14,000 spectators — among the largest theatres of antiquity.
The theatre was used for the musical, vocal, and dramatic contests of the Asklepieia games, as well as for dramatic performances as part of the worship of Asklepios. It remained in use until at least the 3rd century AD.
Why the Acoustics Are So Perfect
The secret lies in the geometry: the cavea was designed based on a regular pentagon, with the orchestra inscribed within it, using three centres to trace the curved rows of seats — a technique that achieved both perfect acoustics and excellent sightlines from every seat. The circular orchestra measures 20 metres in diameter, with the surviving base of the Altar of Dionysus (thymele) at its centre.
The Asklepieion: Antiquity's Greatest Healing Centre
The theatre is only one part of a much larger sanctuary dedicated to Asklepios, god of medicine. The Asklepieion began as the "upper sanctuary" of Apollo Maleatas on Mount Kynortion as early as the 8th-7th century BC, before the "lower," larger sanctuary was established on the plain where the main archaeological site stands today.
The sanctuary housed, among other structures: the Temple of Asklepios, the Tholos (a circular building, one of the most elegant of the Classical period), and the Enkoimeterion — where patients slept, hoping to meet the god in their dreams and be healed. There were also large dining and lodging buildings for patients and their companions. Roughly 70 monuments in total have been uncovered by excavations.
From Ruins to Revival
The monument was uncovered by Panagis Kavvadias's excavations in 1881-1883, under the Archaeological Society of Athens. The stage building was found in ruins, but the cavea was in remarkably good condition. Restoration work followed in 1907 and again in 1954-1963.
The first modern-era performance took place in 1938 — Sophocles' "Electra," directed by Dimitris Rondiris, starring Katina Paxinou and Eleni Papadaki, performed without sets, costumes, or lighting. In 1955, the Athens-Epidaurus Festival was established, an institution that continues today. Among the theatre's most unforgettable moments are two performances starring Maria Callas: Bellini's "Norma" (1960) and Cherubini's "Medea" (1961), directed by Alexis Minotis.
UNESCO
The Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus, together with the Ancient Theatre, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988.
Practical Information
Location: Lygourio, Argolida (about 30 minutes from Nafplio)
Phone: Archaeological site: +30 27530 22009, +30 27530 22666 · Festival: +30 27530 22026 · Email:
Opening Hours 2026
- Winter: 08:00-17:00, from March 1, 2026: 08:00-18:00
- April: 08:00-19:00
- From May 2, 2026: 08:00-20:00
- September 1-15: 08:00-19:30
- September 16-30: 08:00-19:00
- October 1-15: 08:00-18:30
- October 16-31: 08:00-18:00
- Good Friday: 12:00-17:00 · Holy Saturday: 08:30-15:30
Ticket price: Contact
Time needed: 1-1.5 hours for the theatre area, longer if you also visit the Museum/rest of the sanctuary
Best time: Morning, before the heat — the site is open and sun-exposed
See Also
- Ancient Nemea
- Events — for the festival programme
FAQ
Why is the Theatre of Epidaurus so famous for its acoustics?
Thanks to its geometric design — a cavea based on a regular pentagon with three tracing centres — which achieves perfect sound transmission to every row, even the highest.
How many spectators does the theatre hold?
13,000-14,000, following its expansion in the 2nd century BC (originally around 8,000).
Who built the Theatre of Epidaurus?
According to Pausanias, architect Polykleitos the Younger, around 340-330 BC.
Is it a UNESCO monument?
Yes, since 1988, together with the entire Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus.
Is the theatre still used today?
Yes, it hosts ancient drama performances as part of the Athens-Epidaurus Festival, an institution since 1955.
