GREECE PELOPONNESE ARGOLIS PALAIA EPIDAVROS

Nisi peninsula

Palaia Epidaurus was an important local center in the Argolis, primarily due to its harbour on the Saronic Gulf and the fertile land in its environment. Politically associated with Sparta, the small polis administered the venerable sanctuary of Apollo Maleatas, which then evolved into the Sanctuary of Asklepios. Still today a strenuous pilgrims' path leads from Palaia Epidaurus to the sanctuary at Ligourio. From the 4th century BC onwards the panhellenic reputation of this nearby sacred healing centre added splendour and vitality to the city. The acropolis, on the peninsula "Nesi" (or "Nisi"), was fortified during the 5th or 4th century BC. The agora was at the neck of the same peninsula, where during the second half of the 4th century BC the "small" theatre was built. In Roman times the city was even extended and flourished until the third century AD or even later.

Uphill from the theatre there are various architectural remains scattered in the landscape of the peninsula. It is not an organized archaeologic site, and there aren't any explanatory signs. Visitors who have gone astray here have to find their own way.

Below: Ongoing excavations in 2012 near the theatre and nothing much has changed at this site as I could see during my visits in September 2019 and 2024.