On the way to the ancient theater of Epidaurus the visitor passes by the village of Lygourio, which remains unnoticed since the focus of interest is the sacred site of the healing god, lying ahead. However, the area around Epidaurus offers to the favourably disposed, willing visitor a number of sites and monuments worthy of his attention. First, Lygourio village itself which has been built on the ruins of the ancient Lissa, a settlement that lasted from the Prehistoric until the Roman period. According to Pausanias, Lissa was in his days a small town with a temple dedicated to Athena that also contained a xoanon of the goddess. Dominating Lissa was the mountain Sapyselaton (presently Arachnaion) with altars dedicated to Zeus and Hera to whom sacrifices were offered when rain was needed.
The so-called “Pyramida” is a “rare” and worth noticing monument of debatable use and date.Unfortunately, it has been completely neglected and thus, it is steadily deteriorating. It should be restored and publicized, since examples of pyramidal buildings in Greece and especially in Argolida are rare. Five more monuments are hidden in the shadow of Epidaurus.These are small post-Byzantine churches, some with beautiful wall-painted decorations. They should also be restored and publicized, regardless of how “humble” they may appear, as they are part of our cultural heritage and bear witness to the artistic and other history of our country.
