Dodona
The archaeological site of Dodona at the foot of Mount Tomaros hosts the oracle of Zeus and Dione and one of the largest ancient theatres of its time.
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About the museum
In the green valley at the foot of Mount Tomaros lies the oracle of Dodona, dedicated to the worship of Zeus and his consort Dione. According to the myth recorded by Herodotus, the sanctuary was founded thanks to two black doves that flew from Thebes in Egypt; one settled on an oak and indicated with a human voice the spot where the oracle should be built. For centuries the sanctuary was open-air, with the sacred tree at the centre of the cult; oracles were given on the basis of natural sounds, such as the rustling of leaves and the flight of birds.
The first small temple of Zeus was built at the beginning of the 4th century BC. The sanctuary reached its greatest flourishing the following century, under King Pyrrhus, who extended the temples, built new ones for Themis, Aphrodite and Herakles, and erected public buildings: the theatre, with a capacity of about 18,000 spectators, the bouleuterion, the prytaneion and the stadium, where the Naia were held. Despite the destruction by the Aetolians and the Romans, the oracle operated until the 4th century AD. In the Byzantine period a three-aisled basilica was built on the ruins of the sanctuary. Today the restored theatre hosts performances of ancient drama, concerts and the Dodona Festival.
Highlights
- Restored ancient theatre, capacity about 18,000 spectators
- Temple of Zeus (Sacred House) and the sanctuaries of Themis, Aphrodite and Herakles
- The bouleuterion, the prytaneion and the stadium
- Three-aisled early Christian basilica on the ruins of the sanctuary
- Performances of ancient drama and concerts in the theatre
Permanent exhibition
- Αρχαιολογικός χώρος του μαντείου – Tour of the sanctuary of Zeus and Dione with the ancient theatre, the bouleuterion, the prytaneion, the stadium and the foundations of the temples and of the Byzantine basilica.
- Operated by
- Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού – Εφορεία Αρχαιοτήτων Ιωαννίνων
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €15 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €8Citizens of Greece and the EU over 65 years of age (from 1 October to 31 May); accompanying parents on educational visits of primary schools in the EU; and accompanying teachers of schools from countries outside the EU. |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 18 · Free admission for children and young people up to 25 years of age from EU countries, and for children up to 18 years of age from countries outside the EU, with ID or passport. |
| Seniors | €8Reduced ticket for citizens of Greece and the EU over 65 years of age, from 1 October to 31 May. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with a disability and one companion (where the disability is 67% or more). |
Free admission: 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October and the first and third Sunday of each month from 1 November to 31 March.
Other categories of visitors are also entitled to free admission or a reduced ticket in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Culture.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The site is described as accessible for visitors with disabilities; at an open-air archaeological site, access to all points is not always possible.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
The site is about 20 km from the city of Ioannina; by car, the journey from the centre of Ioannina takes about 25 minutes.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
- Wi-Fi
On site there are a café and restaurant and a shop.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
