Olympia, Greece

Olympia is on the west side of the Pelopenese peninsula in Greece. Katakolon is the closest port. For this visit we hired a taxi to take us to Olympia, wait for us, and bring us back to Katakolon. Great way to visit Olympia. We could see what we wanted and spend as much or  as little time as we wanted. We could also avoid crowds this way. Olympia was a sanctuary with several temples as well as an athletic training site and the place where the ancient Olympics were held. Please see my blog of 10/16/ 09 for more details and photos.

The four photos below show some of the ruins of the sanctuary.

 

The photo below shows a wall with an interesting pattern used in it's construction.

This column and the platform on which it rests is basically all that remains of the Temple of Zeus. This temple contained a huge ivory and gold statue of Zeus, one of the Ancient Wonders of the World.

Below is what I think is part of the Temple of Hera. If memory serves me correctly, the Olympic fire is lit in the stone bowl, using a parabolic mirror to ignite it.. The Olympic torch is lit from the bowl and then carried to the site of the modern Olympics.

Below are the remains of  the Philippeion.

Below are the remains of the tunnel entrance to the Olympic stadium. Only the 20 finalists in each event were allowed to use this tunnel. This photo is taken from the stadium looking out the tunnel.

Above is the stadium showing the starting line. About halfway down on the left is a stone stand where a priestess stood, the only woman allowed in the stadium.

Above are terra cotta decorations from the friezes of buildings, adding in my view, much needed color. Below is a lion's head, also probably decoration on a building.

For some reason or other I really like the sculpture of the bull shown below. Maybe 'cause I'm an old cowboy.

The handsome dude below appears to be having his beard yanked by someone, maybe his grandson.

This is the harbor of Katakolon. The last photo is the beautiful blue Ionian sea, as we leave Katakolon behind.

Cat's Colon...er, Olympia

Olympia on the Pelopenisian peninsula was the site of the original Olympic games. They began in the 700's BC and were held every 4 years continually until 4th century AD when they were discontinued by a Christian big shot because they were pagan in origin. Below are ruins of a training facility.


This arch is what remains of the entrance to the stadium. Only the 20 finalists were allowed to enter by this tunnel.




The photo below shows the original Olympic stadium. It was used mainly for running events. The initial event was running almost the full length of the stadium, or "one stadia", a distance of 197.2 meters. Stadia became a unit of measure, and distances came to be measured in stadia. This photo was taken from field level.


This next photo is taken from the top of the bowl of the stadium looking towards where the athletes entered. This stadium is the prototype of most track and field as well as football stadiums. The slant of the sides where the spectators were is not very steep; the older U.S. stadiums, such as the Colisseum in Los Angeles are relatively shallow bowls as well. Steeper sides give a better view of the field.


The photo below is of the starting line. There are two, both still intact, one at each end of the stadium. It is marble with places for twenty athletes. There are two grooves to dog your toes into. Athletes participated naked without shoes, men only. Women were also not permitted to be spectators.



Anyone caught cheating was banned forever from participating in the games. He also had to give a statue of one of the gods to the Olympics, which was placed on a pedestal just outside the tunnel leading to the stadium. On the pedestal wass engraved his name, his father's name and the village from whence he came. Alittle reminder to the athletes as they entered the stadium.

This statue is in the Olympia museum. Isn't he a handsome devil?



The name of the port near Olympia is Katakolon. I was sure we were going to see a dissection of a cat's colon, but no such luck.