Greece - Dodoni (or Dodona)

The oracle of Dodoni - a way of communication between the Greek people and Zeus - dates from before 1000 BC and is the oldest in Greece. It consisted of a sacred oak tree surrounded by bronze cauldrons, which were placed in such a way that they touched each other. Predictions were made using sounds by the cauldrons in connection with the rustling of the oak leaves.

At the beginning of the 3rd century BC the Zeus sanctuary was extended with several buildings, which is related to the increased importance of the sanctuary. The ruins and remains, including an acropolis, a bouleuterion, a amphitheatre and a Byzantine basilica, bear witness to the fact that a flourishing marketplace was located here.

The amphitheatre of Dodoni had (and still has) a capacity of about 17.500 seats and is one of the largest and best preserved in Greece. The walls rise to a height of twenty-one meters and are supported by solid towers. The ancient Greeks used it for theatre, but it was later transformed by the Romans into an arena for animal fights. Bulls and big cats were locked in two triangular cages on either side of the stage.

In the 6th century AD, when the Roman Emperor Justinian decided to found the city of Ioannina, Dodoni fell into disrepair. (Ancient) Dodoni was rediscovered and excavations and restorations of the ancient site of Dodoni began in 1875 and continue until today.

The amphitheatre was restored in the early 1960s. Every year in August, a summer festival is held in which classical tragedies, folk music and dance from Epirus are performed.