Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
buildings. The finds displayed show the progression of medical skills and cures used at
the Asklepieion.
The sanctuary of
Asklepios
he
Asklepian sanctuary
, as large a site as Olympia or Delphi, holds considerable
fascination, for the ruins are all of buildings with identifiable functions: hospitals for
the sick, dwellings for the priest-physicians, and hotels and amusements for the
fashionable visitors to the spa. The setting, a wooded valley thick with the scent of
thyme and pine, is clearly that of a health farm.
The reasonably well-labelled
site
begins just past the museum, where there are
remains of
Greek baths
and a huge
gymnasium
with scores of rooms leading of a great
colonnaded court; in its centre the Romans built an
odeion
. To the southwest is the
outline of the
stadium
used for the ancient games, while to the northeast, a small
sanctuary of Egyptian gods
suggests a strong influence on the medicine used at the site.
North of the stadium are the foundations of the
Temple of Asklepios
and beside it a
rectangular building known as the
Abaton
or
Kimitirion
. Patients would sleep here to
await a visitation from the healing god, commonly believed to assume the form of a
serpent. The deep significance of the
serpent
at Epidaurus is elaborated in the circular
Tholos
, one of the best-preserved buildings on the site. Its inner foundation walls form
a labyrinth, thought to have been used as a snakepit (see box, p.143). Another theory is
that the labyrinth was used as an initiation chamber for the priests of Asklepios, who
underwent a symbolic death and rebirth, a common theme in ancient religion.
2
Southwest Argolid
The roads across and around the southern tip of the Argolid are sensational scenic rides,
but the handful of resorts here lack character, have disappointing beaches and are generally
overdeveloped. Their only real virtue is that they are the ports of call for the
Argo-Saronic
islands
, so if you find yourself there, we've provided some recommendations.
Ermióni
ERMIÓNI
(ancient Hermione) is a small town, on a narrow, rocky peninsula,
overlooking Dhokós and Ýdhra, and perhaps saved from development by lack of a
sandy beach. It has separate access roads for the two sides of town -
the northern entry
is simpler for drivers and leads to the main waterfront, with tavernas, cafés, banks and
ATMs.
On Tuesdays there is a large market for local villages and islanders from Ýdhra.
The wooded tip of the peninsula - an archeological area - has pleasant walks. On the
southern side there are swimming places below the coastal road.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
ERMIÍONI
By hydrofoil
Ýdhra (3 daily; 20min); Póros (2 daily; 1hr); Spétses (3 daily; 20min).
Pórto Héli
Extensive, developed
PÓRTO HÉLI
has pretty waterfront views around a nearly circular
bay, numerous accommodation options, and facilities for yachters exploring the
Argo-Saronic islands.
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
PÓRTO HÉLI
By bus
The route to Náfplio from Pórto Héli is covered three
to four times daily by bus, which usually dovetails with
ferries and hydrofoils to and from Spétses and elsewhere.
By hydrofoil
Ýdhra (3 daily; 1hr); Póros (1 daily; 2hr);
Spétses (3 daily; 10min).
Water-taxis
Spétses according to demand (10-20min).
Travel agent
Hellenic Vision Travel (
T
27540 51543,
W
portoheli.hellenicvision.gr). On the war memorial
square, this agent books hydrofoils and can also find
accommodation.
FROM TOP
MÁNI TOWERHOUSES (P.155); RACK-AND-PINION RAILWAY, KALÁVRYTA (P.196) >
