An ancient site dedicated to healing deities, the area had a sanctuary from as early as the Mycenaean period, where a goddess with healing properties was worshipped. This was succeeded, around 800 BC, by the first sanctuary of Apollo Maleatas, while later on a sanctuary was added in honour of the healing god Asclepius, whose cult was established during the 6th century BC. According to tradition, he was native to this region, as son of Apollo and Coronis, granddaughter of Malus, king of Epidaurus.
