The archaeological site of Dodona is in the southwestern part of Ioannina, 22 km from Ioannina city.
In ancient times, Dodona was famous thanks to the renown oracle. The oracle of Dodona was dedicated to Zeus and was the oldest oracle in Greece. The "father of history", Herodotus, reports a myth regarding the sanctuary's establishment that had been narrated to him by the priests upon his visit to Dodona. According to this, two pigeons started from Thebes, Egypt. One landed in Libya, where a large temple of Zeus was erected and the second landed on an oak tree at Dodona, where the oracle was built.
So, the sanctuary of Dodona began to develop focusing on this oak. The rustling of its leaves, together with other natural sounds, were read by the priests as the Gods' will, providing the people with oracles. At the end of 5th B.C. century, a small temple was erected, while during the reign of Pyrrhus many buildings were constructed, such as the Bouleuterion (Council Champer), the prytaneion and the enormous theater. The region suffered two major disasters, by the Aetolians in 219 BC and the Romans in 167 BC. Although, the oracle kept on running, it never regained its former glory.
One of the last of the oracles was given in 362 AD and a few years later the sanctuary of Dodona stops working. It remains deserted and forgotten by people for many years, until it is uncovered by archaeological excavations in the late 19th century.
Today in the archaeological site of Dodona, the visitor, besides the famous ancient theater, can admire:
- The Hiera Oikia (Temple of Zeus), which enclosed the sacred oak of the oracle
- The Temples of Dione, Themis, Hercules and Venus
- The Bouleuterion (Council Champer) and the Prytaneion, which were the administrative buildings of the era
- The ancient stadium of Dodona
- The acropolis of Dodona
A visit to Dodona will definitely impress you, being a wonderful memory of your vacation for a lifetime.
More information about the archaeological site of Dodona can be found in the number 26510 82 287.
