Cultural
Sanctuaire d'Asclépios en Epidaure
Grèce
Photo : Carole Raddato (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Located in the Peloponnese region of Greece, this ancient sanctuary was dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine and healing in Greek mythology. The site served as a major religious and therapeutic center where patients sought cures through a combination of religious ritual, medical treatment, and the practice of incubation sleep. The sanctuary contains the ruins of several significant structures, including temples, treasuries, a stadium, and a theater, which reflect its importance as both a pilgrimage destination and a center of medical knowledge in the classical world. The archaeological remains demonstrate the sophisticated architectural and engineering practices of ancient Greece, with particular attention to the integration of religious and secular functions within a unified sanctuary complex. The site provides valuable evidence of ancient Greek religious practices, medical understanding, and urban planning during the Classical and Hellenistic periods. Its excavation and preservation have contributed substantially to modern understanding of ancient Greek civilization and the historical development of medicine in the Western world.
