Dodona

Meaning

A vast stone theatre carved into the hillside opens before you, and on the ridge above, a lone oak turns its leaves in the wind.

Tradition holds this to be the oldest oracle in Greece, where priests read the will of Zeus in the rustling of the leaves of his sacred oak. The ruins of a great ancient theatre and sanctuary remain.

Voices across time

“A black dove flew here, settled on an oak, and spoke with a human voice — that an oracle of Zeus should be founded in this place.”

Roads through this light

Field notes

Location

Epirus · 그리스 북서부 · N39.5° · E20.8°

Best time

Spring and early summer, in the early morning when wildflowers fill the fields and light enters the theatre

Getting there

About a 30-minute drive south of Ioannina to the archaeological site.

Etiquette

Keep to the marked paths to protect the ruins.

Sources

• · Encyclopaedia Britannica
• · Greek Ministry of Culture

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