Sincere Traveler

Peloponesse has the most interesting ancient sites in Greece. Impressive, overwhelming and beautifully restored. If you are like us, a little crazy for history and old remains, Peloponesse is the place to be.

It is not that strange that many of the most impressive and ancient sites can be found in this region as it was the heart of the classical period of Greek antiquity. In this period the Greek and Roman society florished. Many of these places were once powerfull cities and many of the most bloody battles have been fought on these grounds.

During our trip, we have been to Ghost city of Mistras and the beautiful unspoiled ancient site of Messene. Both amazing sites to visit if you are planning a trip to Greece.

In our last part of our trip, we visit two more historical places that we both wanted to visit for a long time. Mycenae because we have seen the beautiful handworked findings from this site. They date back to the 12th century BC and can be seen in the National Archeoligical Museum in Athens. Epidaurus is known to have the best-preseved theatre. Both worth a visit.

Epidaurus

This site is famous for its theatre but the remains of the city around it are as impressive as the theatre itself. Epidaurus used to be a city of health. People would have been travelling to this place to get better health or just get some relaxation and clear their minds. There are many bathhouses, the sauna of the old days, guesthouses and mineral springs.

As you enter the site, you will walk between the remains of the old city and the theatre. It is definitely spectacular to see. It would have held over 14.000 spectators. All 55 rows are almost entirely intact. You can walk around and sit down at one of the seats in the arena. Even now the acoustic is spectacular. A whisper can be heard all the way at the top of the theatre. They wouldn’t have needed any microphones if they had existed in these days.

At the site, you will walk through the remains of the most celebrated health centre of the Classic world. Establishes in 6th century BC. People would have travelled from far to get the right cure. In order to treat sick people, they would have stayed the night in the big sleeping hall. God would come to them in a dream and tell them the right remedy for the illness. Many experimental cures would have been tested here that are still the base for our modern medical prescriptions.

Our personal tip: Walk all the way back to the site to the remains of the old road. Imagine that people would have travelled for miles through the green landscape, over the mountain, to get this city. The smell would have been overwhelming with eucalyptus leaves and herbs. Freshwater fountains all over the city and a place where the most influential philosophers of the old days would wander around overthinking themselves.

Epidaurus – Ticket 12 EUR – open from 08:00 – till 19:00 (or until 15:30 from November until March)

Mycenae

This archaeological site is the oldest one we visited. It dates back to the Mycenaean period dated from 1600 BC to 1100 BC. The beginning of a period of more advanced civilisation in the Greek mainland characterised by writing, urbanisation and the work of arts.

The acropolis site is built on a 900-meter high hill, looking over the landscape. The ceramic foundings at this site dates back to 5000 BC. The city would have flourished over the year and it is glory days during the Mycenaean period the city would have had over 30.000 inhabitants. It is one of the most important sites of the bronze age.

The loin gate is the most memorable piece at this site. It is the only known sculpture of the bronze age. The museum at the site holds many of the reliques and foundings of the graves that were discovered during the excavation of Mycenae. Many of these foundings were made out of gold including deathmasks, cups, jewels and swords. The most important pieces are at display at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.

Mycenae – Ticket 12 EUR – open from 08:00 – till 19:00 (or until 15:30 from November until March)

We ended our trip by driving back to Athens in only 1,5 hour. We truly enjoyed this trip. The beauty of the area, friendly people, lots of history, overwhelming nature and astonishing beaches. It makes that we are already thinking about our next trip to Peloponesse and see more from this wonderful region in Greece.

This was our last blog about this wonderful trip we made. Thank you for reading and following us. We hope you have enjoyed reading about our trip to Peloponnese and we have inspired you to travel there yourself.

If you need any tips from us, just let us know in the comments. See you around!

Did you miss our other blogs about this road trip? Click here to see more about the road trip trough Peloponnese.

Lots of love, Angelique and Carlo

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