Lygourio or Ligourio is a Greek small town located about the middle of
Argolis
Argolis or Argolida ( el, Αργολίδα , ; , in ancient Greek and Katharevousa) is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the region of Peloponnese, situated in the eastern part of the Peloponnese peninsula and part of the tri ...
prefecture. It is built at the foot of
Arachnaion Mountain at a height of 370 meters, near the
Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is a theatre in the Greek city of Epidaurus, located on the southeast end of the sanctuary dedicated to the ancient Greek God of medicine, Asclepius. It is built on the west side of Cynortion Mountain, near modern ...
. Its population is 2482 inhabitants according to 2011 census. Lygourio is the seat of
Epidavros
Epidaurus ( gr, Ἐπίδαυρος) was a small city (''polis'') in ancient Greece, on the Argolid Peninsula at the Saronic Gulf. Two modern towns bear the name Epidavros: '' Palaia Epidavros'' and '' Nea Epidavros''. Since 2010 they belong to ...
municipality
and
Asklipieio
Asklipieio ( el, Ασκληπιείο) is a former municipality in Argolis, Peloponnese (region), Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Epidaurus, of which it is a municipal unit. The municipal ...
municipal unit.
History
The origin of the name Lygourio is unknown and there are only conjectures.
[ According to an opinion, the name Lygourio derives from the corruption of the word Elaiogyrion that means olive factory.]Pausanias Pausanias ( el, Παυσανίας) may refer to:
*Pausanias of Athens, lover of the poet Agathon and a character in Plato's ''Symposium''
*Pausanias the Regent, Spartan general and regent of the 5th century BC
* Pausanias of Sicily, physician of t ...
.[ During 4th century B.C. near Lessa was located the sanctuary Asklipieio of Epidaurus. The area was devoted to the deities from prehistoric period but the most important buildings of the sanctuary were built during 4th century B.C. Then the sanctuary was devoted to ]Asclepius
Asclepius (; grc-gre, Ἀσκληπιός ''Asklēpiós'' ; la, Aesculapius) is a hero and god of medicine in ancient Religion in ancient Greece, Greek religion and Greek mythology, mythology. He is the son of Apollo and Coronis (lover of ...
the god of medicine. One of the most famous building is the ancient theatre that is located two Km away from Lygourio. The sanctuary was abandoned after the destructive earthquakes of 522 and 551 A.D.[ Nowadays, Lygourio is the seat of Epidavros municipality. Its economy based in agriculture and tourism. Every summer during ]Athens-Epidaurus Festival
Athens – Epidaurus Festival is an annual arts festival that takes place in Athens and Epidaurus, from May to October. It is one of the most famous festivals in Greece. The festival includes musical, theatrical and other cultural events.
Histor ...
, a lot of tourist visit Lygourio to attend a theatre performance.
Historical population
Places of interest
* Asklipieio of Epidaurus, ancient sanctuary devoted to Asclepius
Asclepius (; grc-gre, Ἀσκληπιός ''Asklēpiós'' ; la, Aesculapius) is a hero and god of medicine in ancient Religion in ancient Greece, Greek religion and Greek mythology, mythology. He is the son of Apollo and Coronis (lover of ...
that includes the famous ancient Theatre of Epidaurus.[
* Arkadiko bridge, ancient bridge of Mycenean period, few Km away from Lygourio.
* Lygourio pyramid, ruins of an ancient pyramid near the village.
*]Temple of Agios Ioannis Eleimon
A temple (from the Latin ) is a building reserved for spiritual rituals and activities such as prayer and sacrifice. Religions which erect temples include Christianity (whose temples are typically called churches), Hinduism (whose temples ...
, Byzantine temple, near the village.[
* Natural History Museum, Lygourio, an important natural history museum in Greece.]
References
{{Epidaurus div
Populated places in Argolis