Archaeological Museum of Epidaurus

The small museum at the entrance to the archaeological site contains the most important finds from the sanctuary: architectural fragments from the Temple of Asklepios and the tholos, marble reliefs of Asklepios and his family, surgical instruments, and the iamata tablets recording miraculous cures.

The architectural display is particularly valuable for understanding the scale and character of the original sanctuary — the reconstructed pediment sculptures give a sense of what the main temple looked like. The museum is compact and not overwhelming; an hour is enough. Entry is included in the combined site ticket.

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A story
Among the museum's most haunting exhibits are the iamata — stone tablets recording the miraculous cures received by patients who slept in the sanctuary. One describes a man who had been blind for years being cured after the god's dogs licked his eyes. Another records a woman who dreamed that a snake bit her on the neck and woke to find her tumour gone. The tablets were set up publicly as testimonials.

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