Greek spirit Th e Asclepieion of : Past, present and future

In the last fi ve years, an ambitious plan is being implemented, aiming to transform the site into an archaeological and environmental park, which will illustrate the identity of the whole Epidaurus area and connect its monuments with modern life

By Professor Vassilis Labrinoudakis

ortune brought me as a young ancient Sanctuary of Asclepius, as a from the magical to the scientifi c. The researcher, back in 1974, in Epi- whole, is far more important for civiliza- medical knowledge that was acquired daurus and its Asclepieion [the tion and mankind, because it was the there over the years, which was prac- FSanctuary of Asclepius, the god of largest, most archaic, and most respect- ticed as ”the work of god [Asclepius]”, Medicine in religion and ed health centre; the biggest hospital of in the hands of his mortal, experienced mythology]. Ever since, and for 44 years, antiquity, through which the worship of servants, up until recently, was the basis I have never ceased studying, continu- health and the act of healing was spread of medical science, which now tends to ously and intensively, the monuments throughout the ancient world. Epidau- return to the holistic approach of Illness; of Epidaurus, while simultaneously dis- rus, directly or indirectly, set up around fi rst conceptualised within the ancient covering the enormous importance of 170 Asclepieia in the Mediterranean. In curative process. this place for our history and the forma- Epidaurus itself, the evolution of health- care is exhibited in monuments from a A unique cultural treasure tion of our civilization. period beginning in the third millen- In order to showcase the importance Epidaurus is widely known for its an- nium b.C., which lasted up until the end of this unique cultural treasure, resto- cient theatre, which is indeed a unique of antiquity, without interruption. In Epi- ration works on the main structures of centre for modern theatrical education daurus, one can observe all of the grad- the Sanctuary began in 1984. Among and high quality tourism. However, the ual stages in medicine’s long evolution the enhanced buildings were the ‘eg-

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Proposed plan for the Archeological park

INDEX

BOTANICAL GARDEN

THE TWO SANCUARIES

PROPOSED PATHS

NEW ROADS koimitirion’, (dormitory hall), or adytum, of the Asclepieion and to integrate its a new building that will also include a the place where the patients slept and monuments with the society. In the last spacious convention centre for medical where treated, and the ‘estiatorion’, (ban- fi ve years, an ambitious plan is being im- and theatrical conferences, the creation quet hall), where Asclepius’ supplicants plemented, aiming to transform the site of a garden of therapeutic plans, and a consumed meat from sacrifi ce—in the into an archaeological and environmen- pavilion for the promotion of typical lo- supposed immaterial presence of the tal park, which will illustrate the identity cal products. god himself, who gave them his bless- of the whole Epidaurus area and con- The Ephorate of Antiquities is already ing; and the ‘stadium’, where, in addition nect its monuments with modern life. carrying on with the restoration. At the to the various celebratory races, the pa- Among other things, the plan foresees: same time, the Ministry for Environment tients ran as part of their treatment. a new entrance through the ancient and Energy is allocating 985,000 euros The enhancements done to the thea- gateway (‘propylaia’) and pas sageways from the current Stability and Growth tre provided an extra 200 seats.. At the appropriated so as to effi ciently lead Pact funds for the implementation of same time, began the restoration of the the visitor to the buildings that facilitat- the fi rst, fundamental steps of the Park ‘Tholos’, a magnifi cent circular build- ed the Sanctuary’s operation, footpath plan (passageways, connecting routes, ing with subterranean corridors, the and road connection of the older sanc- garden) through a soon to be signed second most elegant edifi ce of antiq- tuary (behind the theatre) to the Ascle- contract between the Ministry of Cul- uity after the Erechtheion, which was, pieion, the exhibition of fi ndings pre- ture, the Municipality of Epidaurus, and in a way, Asclepius’ cenotaph, since senting the healing process in detail in the Prefecture of the Peloponnese. the god used it to heal from inside the ground, according to the legend. The The restored altar of Apollo works on the Tholos are being contin- ued towards completing the approved study. Other minor monuments were enhanced in parallel. The number of visitors has skyrocketed as the visibility dramatically increased as a result of the work done on the Sanctuary, which is now vying for second place in the rank- ing of Greece’s most popular monu- ments, right after the Acropolis. Bringing the Asclepieion to modern times All this, however, is not enough to thoroughly highlight the importance

56 bf January-February-March 2019 The Tholos Vassilis Labrinoudakis was Professor of Classical Archaeology, at the Uni- versity of from 1978 until 2006. The public and private sector join hands become reality: we have achieved the He is Professor Emeritus and since 2008, Secretary General of the Society However, the contribution of the private creation of an International Network DIAZOMA for the conservation and sector is also instrumental in the comple- of Ancient Asclepieia located in cities care of ancient theatres. He directed tion of this ambitious plan. Interamerican where Sanctuaries exist as well as sci- entifi c bodies that are involved with the excavations in Epidaurus (ancient (insurance company) has fi nanced the town and Sanctuary of Asklepios), in Passageway study, ApiVita (cosmetics the issue. The Municipalities of Trikala, Epidaurus, Kos, the Archaeological and the islands of Naxos and Chios and in company) provided the Healing Plants Marathon/Attica. He has published 12 Garden study at no cost, and DROMOS Medical School of the University of Ath- ens, and the International Ηippocratic books, handbooks, and monographs, Consulting has drawn up the study for the as well as 179 papers on ancient Greek Foundation of Kos are already members route which will connect the ancient and architecture and art, ancient topog- of the Network, and invitations have newer parts of the Sanctuary. Secured raphy, ancient Greek religion, epigra- thanks to DIAZOMA Society’s mediation, been extended to the municipalites of phy, theory of Archaeology, and the the participation of the private sector in Athens, Pafos, , and Marseille. The management of monuments. He was the promotion of the programme is ex- objective is the participation of all Medi- honoured by the President of the Hel- tremely important as it produces the nec- terranean cities where Asclepieia have lenic Republic for promoting the Ar- essary studies, not just free of charge but been salvaged. The Network’s focus will, chaeology and the History of Greece also the in high quality and the required of course, be research and, more impor- throughout the world in 2003. high speed than the public sector rarely tantly, cultural contacts, events (ie stu- delivers. The case of Epidaurus is a prime dent and scientist awards), exchanges of persons and ideas, and through these example of how positive and effi cient the ever, also work towards incorporating actions, the targeted promotion of med- collaboration between the public and the monuments in the daily life of the ical and high quality tourism. private sectors can be, in the promotion locals. The example of Epidaurus shows of cultural heritage. All these actions aim to disseminate how the monuments can become le- The vision for the enhancement of the value and the importance of the vers of growth for the local economy. the Asclepieion and its integration with monuments to the wider public in an Apart from the obvious benefi ts from the modern society includes another understandable, attractive, and, above the development of a high quality and simultaneous action which has already all, entertaining manner. They do, how- economically effi cient tourism, the in- volvement in the tours and the tour- ist packages that include promotion The Theatre of regional products, will be very of great help to the local companies. For example, there already exist oil mills in Epidaurus that are trying to ”spread the word” on the excellent quality of the locally produced oil. Imagine how quickly they would achieve this if they used the ancient symbol of the gods of olive trees who were worshipped in the Asclepieion in their Brand Logos! The same goes for local honey and cheese—Asclepius was raised by a goat. After all, when a society benefi ts from regional monuments, it becomes

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