Dodona — Oracle of the Sacred Oak

Your journey in Dodona begins in the heart of the Sanctuary of Dodona, the oldest in Greece, attested as early as the 14th century BC by Mycenaean tablets. Dedicated to Zeus and Dione, this ancient archaeological site was the birthplace of an oracle predating that of Delphi. You stand before the famous sacred oak, whose rustling leaves were interpreted by priestesses to reveal divine wills. This oracular cult, nestled at the foot of Mount Tomaros in the verdant valley of Epirus, attracted pilgrims and kings for millennia, making Dodona a major spiritual center of ancient Greece.

Continue towards the Sacred Spring of Dodona, mentioned by the historian Herodotus in the 5th century BC. This natural spring was a crucial element in the purification rituals for those consulting the oracle. Its purifying water prepared pilgrims to receive divine prophecies. Nearby, the remains of the Temple of Zeus, a Doric edifice built around 300 BC, attest to the site's past grandeur. Measuring approximately 22m x 47m, this temple, erected on older foundations, was the nerve center where oracular offerings were deposited before its destruction by fire in 219 BC.

Your path then leads you to the ancient Theater of Dodona, one of the largest in Greece, built in the 3rd century BC. With an impressive capacity of 18,000 spectators, it even surpassed that of Epidaurus. This theater hosted religious festivals and dramatic competitions in honor of Zeus, offering panoramic views of the valley from its well-preserved upper tiers. It was here that Pyrrhus of Epirus, a powerful king, funded embellishment works, solidifying Dodona's cultural and religious importance.

Discover the Stadium of Dodona, an ancient stadium from the 4th century BC, approximately 212m long. This is where the Naian Games took place, athletic competitions organized in honor of Zeus, similar to the famous Olympic Games. Located near the theater, this stadium was an integral part of the sacred complex. Walking along the Boulevard of Treasures, an ancient paved road dating from the 4th-3rd century BC and about 1.5 km long, you can imagine the bronze, ceramic, and jewelry offerings deposited to Zeus by the faithful, many remains of which have been discovered.

As you complete your exploration of Dodona, a major ancient archaeological site in Epirus, Greece, you will have traversed millennia of history and cult. From Mycenaean tablets to King Pyrrhus, and the mentions by Herodotus, every stone of this sanctuary of Zeus tells a part of Greek heritage. This interactive visit to Dodona will have allowed you to understand the importance of the ancient oracle of Dodona, a place where the divine and human met, and to grasp the richness of Dodona's history, an unforgettable thematic circuit for the whole family in Epirus.