Ancient Era Hospitals “Asclepions” and their Heritage to the Day

Asclepios is the god of medicine and health in mythology. In ancient times, healing was sought in the worship of Asclepios. Ancient hospitals built in the name of Asclepios are called “Asclepion”. In ancient times, around three hundred and twenty Asclepions were built within the borders of Greece and Türkiye today. The most important of these ancient hospitals are located in Epidauros, Pergamon, Kos, Athens and Knidos. There was also a health center (an ancient hospital) in Allianoi. In this study, the most significant locations, architectural features, treatment methods, historical and cultural roles of the ancient hospitals among the Asclepions in Western Anatolia and Greece were investigated. When the treatment methods in Asclepions are examined, it is seen that holistic medical practices were applied with a biopsychosocial approach to the patients called guests. Diseases were not seen as one-dimensional but as the result of complex processes and negative environmental, social and psychological interactions. Patients were treated with respect as beings with mental, ethical, emotional, social, moral and natural characteristics. Centuries earlier in Asclepions, the first functional applications of hospital architecture and individual and holistic medical approaches are seen. We think that today's hospital architecture and treatment approaches have many features that can be learned from the heritage of ancient hospitals in history.