Monuments & Museums

In the flat area east of the Larissa hill was founded the Agora, the centre of the public life of Argos city. The traveller Pausanias, who visited the city in the 2nd century AD., describes in every detail the monuments and the public buildings that adorned the site. A part of the ancient Agora was revealed during the excavations that are conducted by the French Archaeological School from 1952 up to now in collaboration with the D΄ Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities of Ministry of Culture.

Argos' Thermes belong in the public bath complexes of monumental scale of the Roman times that constituted a place of meeting, socializing, exercise and recreation of the citizens. Their luxury is testified by the elaborate mosaics and the marmor floors but mainly by the great number of statues that had been set up in the rooms’ niches and they depicted gods and heroes.

The monastery of Panagia is built on the eastern slopes of Larissa Hill in Argos. It got the name 'Katakekrymeni' [well concealed] because, according to tradition, it was here that an icon of the Virgin was found inside the rock. It is also known as 'Portokalousa' because, as part of an old Argive tradition, oranges [portokalia] are thrown at newly-wed couples on the feast day of the monastery (21st November).

The Kastraki peninsula juts out between Gulf of Tolo and Plaka Beach at Derpano. On entering the archaeological site through the main gate in the walls, you can see the whole history of the area, from the dimmest past to more modern times.

The monastery of the Metamorphosi of the Sotir is located in an isolated position, around 3km from the village of Tselo (modern Agia Paraskevi), and south west of Asini, with a view of the Karathona Bay. The monastery was in operation until 1834.

The church of Agios Dimitrios is found in the centre of the village. In order to fix the damage that the belltower had suffered, extensive restoration work was carried out in 2004.

Το φρούριο στη μικρή νησίδα του λιμένος του Ναυπλίου, που είναι γνωστό με την ονομασία «Μπούρτζι», κατασκευάστηκε το 1471, από τους Ενετούς από τον αρχιτέκτονα Antonio Gambello και είναι ένα από τα σημαντικότερα τμήματα των οχυρώσεων της ιστορικής πόλης.

The Bourtzi is a small fortified islet at the entrance of the harbour of Nafplio, originally built during the First Venetian period (1389–1540) as part of the city’s defensive system. It was later modified according to Renaissance military needs and subsequently passed through Ottoman and Greek control. Over time, it served various purposes, including military use and, in the 20th century, as a hotel. Today, it is an important cultural monument and tourist attraction.

Daskaleio Island is in Tolo Bay, behind Romvi. During the transitional years (7^th to 9^th century), the two islands, as with other small islands in the Argolic Gulf (Plateia, Kounoupi, Chinitsa) seem to have been used as naval bases for the Byzantine fleet, to deal with the raids by the Arabs and Avars.

The Mycenaean acropolis at Dendra spreads over the slope of a low hill, west of the Mycenaean acropolis of Midea. So far, the excavations from the end of the 1930s to the present day have uncovered one domed tomb and sixteen chamber tombs, which were cut into the soft rock of the area, in a dense arrangement.

The Didima Sinkhole in Argolis, Greece, is a large karst formation made of two circular collapse dolines created by underground limestone erosion. It is notable for its impressive natural structure, dense interior vegetation, and evidence of human activity from prehistoric times. Inside the smaller sinkhole, two Byzantine churches dedicated to Saint George and the Transfiguration highlight the site’s long-term religious and cultural significance.

The fortress sits atop the rocky heights, above the village of Piada (aka Nea Epidaurus). The location of the fort is strategically placed so as to make it invisible from the sea, which is very close. The choice of the site served to protect the town from pirates.

Work began at the end of the 19^th century on locating and partially excavating the Mycenaean necropolis on the steep eastern slope of Katarachi Hill, at Nera, west of the modern town of Palaia Epidaurus. New evidence has come to light in recent years, following preservation excavations. The necropolis was organised into clusters of chamber tombs, cut into the natural rock of the area.

The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is one of the most significant and best-preserved theatres of the Hellenistic period. Characterized by its tripartite structure, consisting of the theatron, orchestra, and skene, the monument is renowned for its exceptional architectural design and acoustics. The auditorium was carefully constructed to provide optimal visibility and sound quality, while the circular orchestra formed the central performance space. Unlike many other Greek theatres, the theatre of Epidaurus underwent minimal Roman alterations, preserving its original form. Throughout modern history, it has continued to serve as an important cultural venue, hosting performances during the Epidaurus Festival, including appearances by internationally acclaimed artists such as Maria Callas. Extensive excavations and restoration works since the late nineteenth century have contributed to the preservation and reconstruction of the monument.

The small Archaeological Museum of Epidaurus is located at the entrance to the archaeological site of Asklepieion and houses many of the finds that were discovered there. It is considered of great importance because the exhibits include many fragments of architectural parts from the superstructures of the most notable buildings of the sanctuary.

The Sanctuary of Apollo Maleatas occupies the north slope of the most easterly peak of Mt Kynortion. The cult was born in very ancient in very ancient times beside the springs with their abundant water, and it later continued and flourished in the Asklepieion in the valley that extends beneath the western foothills of the mountain, where the Theatre has been constructed.

The most important Asclepius of antiquity, whose fame was worldwide, grew up in the territory of Epidauria and became the official sanctuary of the city-state of Epidaurus, which was 8 kilometers away. Its activity over many centuries and the nature of the cult made it an ecumenical center of immense fame, to which all the other Asclepius of Greece and the Mediterranean, from Rome to the East, were affiliated. Here, Asclepius was honored for the first time as a god.