The findings from this area date back to the early Helladic period, 2600-2000 B.C when in this region the Great Goddess (symbol for fertility) was worshipped. When during the 19th century, tribes from Thesprotia came, her worship was substituted with that of Zeus and Drys.
Dodoni became an oracle of vital importance and those that came to ask for help should first lent for three days, get cleansed in the waters of the spring and engrave their entreaty on a lead tablet. The solution would come from the blowing of the leaves of a sacred tree. Homer talks about the Oracle of Dodoni in both of his epic poems.
The sacred oak tree of Dodoni was cut in the 5th century after the orders of Justine. However, nowadays you can see an oak tree that was planted in our days.
The decay started in 219 B.C when the Etoli under the orders of general Dorymachos destroyed the Oracle to end the treaties that were engraved on its walls. Its second destruction took place in 168 B.C by the roman Emilio Pavlos and it was finally completely destroyed during the Mythridatic war by the soldiers of Mythridatis, king of Pontus.
Nowadays, apart from the theatre you will also see the Vouleftirio, the Pritanio, the stadium, the fortress above the city and you will receive “help” from the sacred Oak in the temple of Zeus.
Opening hours: 8:00-17:00.