Sanctuary of Asclepius, Epidaurus, Greek healing sanctuary in Epidaurus, Greece

The Sanctuary of Asclepius is an archaeological site in a valley, with the temple's foundations and ramp, the circular tholos, and long rows of stone blocks outlining the abaton and guest house. The theater lies about 500 meters southeast, set against a hill, with 55 rows of gray limestone seats divided by a diazoma and an upper level added in the 2nd century BC.

The cult of Asclepius at Epidaurus was already panhellenic by the early 5th century BCE, when the four-yearly Asclepieia combined athletic and musical contests. The temple was built in the early 4th century BCE, perhaps by Theodotos, and the theatre was begun around 330 BCE, 500 m southeast of the sanctuary. In 87 BCE Sulla looted the site; Hadrian's visit in 124 CE brought reforms, and in 1988 it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Pilgrims slept in the 70-metre abaton, a portico where they waited for a healing dream sent by Asclepius; the god's sacred snakes were probably kept in the tholos. In the 3rd century BC the poet Isyllus wrote a hymn to Asclepius and founded a procession for his birthday, later revived after Pythodorus restored the sanctuary of Apollo Maleatas on Kynortion hill.

The sanctuary and its monuments lie in a valley about 10 km west of Palaia Epidavros, with the theater set roughly 500 m southeast of the temple remains and the stadium to the west. Paths are uneven and the site is large, so allow several hours and wear sturdy shoes. The grounds offer little shade, so bring water and sun protection.

The theatre, about 500 m southeast of the sanctuary and built into a hillside, is the best preserved of all ancient Greek theatres; a pine forest covering it kept it from being destroyed. Its 55 rows of grey limestone seats, almost all original, rise 22.50 m above an orchestra 20.28 m across. Visitors test the acoustics from the circular slab at the orchestra's centre, said to be the altar of Dionysus.