A palace was built on the summit of the hill while towards the Argolic plain lay the wall - painted "Cult Center", the main gate or "Lion Gate" and "Grave Circle A which contained the treasures now displayed at the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. On the NE side, a tunnel leading to a subterranean fountain was built in "cyclopean" masonry in around 1225 B.C.
More tombs, "Grave Circle B", and large tholoi as well as houses were discovered outside the walls. Mycenae was occupied without interruption until 468 B.C. when it was conquered by the city of Argos and its population banished. It was reoccupied in the 3rd century B.C. for a relatively short period. It had been abandoned for some time when Pausanias visited the site during the 2nd century A.D.

In 1841, K. Pittakis cleared the "Lion Gate" and in 1876, H. Schliemann started the excavations of the "Grave Circle A" which P. Stamatakis continued in 1877, bringing to light a sixth shaft grave. From 1864 to 1902, excavations at the palace, the subterranean fountain, and many chamber tombs were conducted by Ch. Tsountas while restricted excavations were also carried out by D. Evangelides in 1909, G. Rodenwaldt in 1911 and A. Keramopoulos in 1917. Further excavations were conducted by A.B. Wace during three campaigns, in 1920-1923 on the acropolis and the tombs, in 1939 and 1950-1957 on the houses and tombs at the Lower City.

In 1950, the Restoration Service undertook works on the tomb of Clytemnestra, under the direction of An. Orlandos and E. Stikas. In 1954, E. Stikas consolidated and restored the megaron, the area south of the "Lion Gate", and the "Grave Circle B" and in 1955, the walls north of the "Lion Gate" as well as the courtyard of the palace.
Simultaneously, from 1952 to 1955 the Greek Archaeological Society under the direction of G. Mylonas and J. Papadimitriou investigated more houses as well as "Grave Circle B", while G. Mylonas and N. Verdelis uncovered more houses. Finally, the "Cult Center" was revealed by the British School of Archaeology under the direction of Lord Taylour and was further investigated by G. Mylonas and Sp. Iakovides of the Greek Archaeological Society in 1959 and 1969-1974.

EPIDAURUS

Epidauros is the Classical Pan Hellenic site of the god Aesclepius. The major attraction of this healing center is the well-preserved theater of the fourth century B.C., the best-preserved Greek theater in existence. At Epidauros participants visit the theater for a discussion of drama in ancient Greece. The perfect acoustics of the theater will be tested through the orchestrated oral reading of a scene from one of the ancient Greek plays.The healing center of Epidaurus, located in one of the most serenely beautiful areas in Greece, includes the temple of Asklepios, a gymnasium, baths, a stadium, and the fourth-century theatre of Polykleitos, probably the best-constructed theatre of antiquity. We will visit the Museum, the archaeological site and the theatre, and will discuss the role of drama in ancient Greece. Epidaurus has a magnificent ancient theatre, the best preserved in the country, with perfect acoustics; it was restored and is used during the summer. The Asklepieion, or Sanctuary of Asklepios, is being excavated; it was an extensive religious and therapeutic center, dedicated to the healing god Asklepios. The theatre and a stadium are connected via a Sacred Way leading from the town of Epidaurus.

"With us you're NEVER on your own"