Area Info

Mycenae :
Mycenes have connected their name with the most important period of the Greek antiquity. During the years of prosperity of the Mycenean civilization, Mycenes was the metropolis. Nowadays, are well conserved the ruins of the Mycenean Akropolis and the Lions’Gate.
The extraordinary finds from Mycenes are exposed to the Archaeological Museum of Athens and Nafplio. Mycenes are 50 kms away from Loutraki.

Ancient Epidaurus :
It’s a world famous archaeological site , in a green landscape . 29 kms away from Nafplio , it belongs to the municipality of Lygourio .
The archaeological site is consisted of :
The theatre : The miracle of Epidaure – as it was called – is situated at the slope of Kynourio mountain , in the place of worship , and it’s the best conserved ancient theatre . Built in the 4th century B.C. – according to Pausanias – by the architect and sculptor Poliklitos from Argos , even though there are scientists that support that it was constructed at the beginning of the 3rd century , so it couldn’t belong to Poliklitos. With a circle orchestra , thimeli and 12 rows of 34 seats , could accept 6.000 spectators . During the Hellenistic years , it was added the upper zone of rows , doubling the capacity of the theatre . Nowadays , even though it’s almost not saved anything from the scene with the Ionian rhythm columns , the excellent acoustics still exist . The sound goes clear up to the highest rows , due to the wonderful adjustment of the theatre to the scenery ( as it’s built on the slope , it operates as a resonator ) . The theatre , “a special sight” according to Pausanias , is a place of performances of ancient drama during the summer.For that it is used a non permanent scene , made of light materials .
The Asklipios sanctuary : In a pine tree area , next to the ancient port of Epidaure , were discovered ruins of the most important sanctuary of Asklipios, God of health . That sanctuary was in a big prosperity at the end of the 5th and the 4th century B.C. At the place around there are many archaeological monuments , like the temple of Apollon Maleata – 4th century B.C – right behind the theatre , where the worshippers of the Asklipios’sanctuary should offer their first sacrifice .The Gymnasium reminds the arena of Olympia , with the big indoor yard , where the small conservatory was constructed . A little further , there are ruins of Kotios gallery and a little arena .
Small theatre : Right after the arena starts the original part of the sanctuary , where you have to pay attention at the ruins of Themidas’temple , the foundations of Artemis’ temple.

Loutraki :
Heraion of Perahora :
To the north-west of Loutraki and after Perahora village, near the lighthouse of Malagavi cape, there are the ruins of the famous Hra’s sanctuary. It is constisted of two parts, that’s why it was believed -until recently- that there were two sanctuaries, dedicated to Hra.

Isthmos canal :
Τhe Corinthian tyrant Periandros was the first that conceived the idea of deviding Isthmos. The efforts for this construction went on during the years of Julius Caesar, Kaligoulas, Neron, Herod Attikos, the Byzantines and the Enetians, but soon were stopped because of the huge construction difficulties.
In the modern years, the Greek governors Ioannis Kapodostrias and Th. Zaimis, understanding the importance of this construction, continued the works and at 23/04/1882 they inaugurated the canal. So the dreams of thousands of people, from the beginning of the history, came true 2493 years later. The canal is 6.346 m. long. The width on the surface of the sea is 24.6 m. and in the water it is 21.3 m. The depth is between 7.50 m. and 8 m. There are two plunging bridges, one in Posidonia and one in Isthmia, which facilitate the traffic from Peloponnese to the rest of Continental Greece.

Ancient Corinth :
There was population to the important position of Ancient Corinth since the Neolithic years. But the big prosperity begins at the 8th century B.C. and arrives up to its destruction by the Roman general Mommios in 146 B.C. A sample of that period is Apollon’s temple constructed in doric style in 550 B.C.
The town is populated again in 44 B.C.,it gets developed and in 51-52 A.C. Apostle Paul visits the town. The center is organized at the south part of Apollon’s temple, where there are shops, little temples, fountains, baths and other public buildings.
In 267 A.C., with the invasion of Erouloi, the decadence starts. However the town survives –after a series of disasters and invasions, up to the liberation from the Turkish rank in 1822.

Delfi :
During the Mycenean period, in the small settlement of Delfi, people adored Goddess Earth. The development of the sanctuary and oracle starts at the 8th century B.C. when the worship of Apollon prevailed. Under Amfiktionia’s protection and administration, the sanctuary in the 6th century becomes autonomous against its claimants, increases its religious and political influence, reorganizes the Pythikoi Games and gets enriched with brilliant constructions, statues and other votive offerings. In the 3rd century B.C. lords of the sanctuary are Aitoloi, who are followed by Romans in 191 B.C. During the roman domination, sometimes were conquered and sometimes were favoured by the emperors. Of the new religion, the sanctuary loses its spiritual character and in 394 B.C. closes permanently on decree of emperor Theodosios.

Argos:

From Mythology...to History

Argos lies four miles distance from the Argolic gulf, at the north eastern Peloponnese. It is the second oldest city after Sikyon and for centuries it was the most important one. Argos became dependant to the nearby city of Mycenae (six miles distance), under the descendants of Pelops.
In the twelve century, under Orestes, the son of Agamemnon, Argos became again the capital of Argolis.
In the eleventh century, Argos fell to the Dorians and their leader Temenos, made it the base of his operations.
At 750 BC, under the tyrant Pheidon, Argos became the most important city of Peloponnese.