Day 184 – EU – Greece [Nafplio to Palaia Epidavros]

24/08/20

39km

  From Nafplio (Greece) to Palaia Epidavros (Greece)

Europe

A hilly run across the Easternmost peninsula of Peloponnese towards the Saronic Gulf and the city of “Old Epidavros”

I set out for an interesting run today. Heading out on a hilly country road towards the village of Ligourio, at the top of the hill. This village is near the top of the Arachnaion mountain, where the Ancient Theatre of Epidavros is located. This theatre is thought to be the “best” theatre of Ancient Greece, both in acoustic and in design – it seats 14,000 people.

My plan was to cross the peninsula and arrive by the Saronic Gulf in the Old city of Epidavros, directly at the “Small Epidavros Theatre” and visit it. Then take a bus in the afternoon to the Big Theatre up the mountain – as I would have passed it on my run too early, way before opening time. I arrived indeed at the small theatre by 11am and to my surprise: entry was closed due to Covid 19. I managed to walk around the fence and shoot a few pictures.

I was told that the other Theatre would be closed too. In fact, the performances for the Festival that’s held here every summer got cancelled too. That’s bad luck. I remember visiting it back in 1989 and it was indeed a very beautiful theatre, immense and surrounded by a pine trees forest.

Meanwhile I got to enjoy the very small seaside village of Epidavros, swim in its pristine clear waters and rest by the shore of the beaches that surround the small bay where it is set. Today was a fine day of running, with 27km of smooth gradual uphill (520m+) before running another 13km down towards the sea. Quiet country roads, passing by only one village (Ligourio) and goats for company. Relaxing.

Check my daily run GPS data on or

Here is the map of today’s run: