Paros Asklepios Sanctuary

Location: Parikia

The Asklepion of Paros in Parikia: An Asklepion is a temple dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine and healing. The cult of Asclepius started around 300 BC and became increasingly popular in ancient Greece. The diseased and injured gathered in large numbers at the temples, seeking a cure for various illnesses. According to tradition, the devotees would sleep within the precincts of the temple and it is believed that they had visions or dreams, which they reported to the head priest the following day.

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The therapist prescribed a cure based on the dreams he had and, for the most part, the cure involved a dip in the therapeutic baths, mud cures, or practicing sports. Such a temple can be seen on Paros, on the hill of Agia Anna, close to Parikia. The remains of the ancient wall still exist, while the fountain basin in the center dates from a much later period.

There is a long passage that stretches from the sacred fountain to the circular construction where different kinds of cures were carried out. Close by, on a slightly elevated terrace above the Asklepieion, stand the ruins of another sanctum, built to honor Pythian Apollo.

How to get there

The Sanctuary of Asklepios is located in the village of Parikia, just a 15-minute walk away from the bus station.

Private transfers: We recommend using an online pre-booked transfer service, which provides transfer by taxi, minibus, or private VIP car and arranging a pickup directly from the port, airport, or your hotel. Alternatively, there’s the option of arranging a pickup by a local driver directly at the following numbers: 0030 694 4540 556, 0030 694 4668 331, 0030 699 9450 800, or booking your taxi online.

Car rental: Τhere's the option of renting a car and picking it up directly from the airport, port, or your hotel. Using a rental car allows visitors to discover Asklepios and many other places of interest at their own pace.

Public transport: The central bus station of the island is located at the main Port of Paros (Parikia). There are bus connections between this bus station and most areas of the island. Consider that time schedules might change according to the season. Check the official timetables here.
Tip: Since buses don’t always stop at every scheduled stop of their itinerary, our advice to visitors is to inform the driver about their final destination in advance.