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| Olympia | ||
| region | West Greece | |
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| Residents | unknown | |
no value for residents on Wikidata:  | ||
| height | 69 m | |
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
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Olympia is in the region Elis the destination of many tourists. The focus of interest is on the competition venues of the ancient Olympic Games, less on the tourist-oriented location Old Olympia (Greek: Αρχαία Ολυμπία), Archea Olymbiaas the modern village on the edge of the excavation sites is called.
background
The ruins of ancient Olympia lie on a plain at the foot of Kronos Hill on the bank of the river Kladeos shortly before it flows into the Alfios. Over time, they were covered with a meter-high layer of mud due to the flooding of the Kladeo. After their rediscovery in the 18th century, they have been systematically excavated by, among others, German archaeologists. The most important finds are in the Olympia Archaeological Museum set up. In 1988 the archaeological site of Olympia was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site recorded.
The emergence of the Olympic Games in antiquity it is dated to 776 BC. dated, the last games were officially 393 AD. after which they were forbidden as pagan customs. During this rather long era, the games and the terrain have changed many times.
The starting point is Sacred grove at the foot of the Kronos hill, it has been surrounded by a wall over time. In this Altis named area stood the temples, here that was too Oracle of Olympia. In the beginning, the stadium was also located here, this shows that religious origin the games. The training and competition buildings for the athletes are grouped to the west and south of the Altis, the stadium has been relocated to the east, and there is also said to have been a track for chariot races.
Initially, the games were probably limited to a single day with the only competition in the stadium run. In the later years more fights were added: long jump (from standing), javelin, discus, wrestling, boxing, several running disciplines, the chariot race and that Pankration as a type of ancient catching, the games had to be extended over several days.
In addition, the Olympic Games were by no means the only sporting event in antiquity, but they were certainly the most famous. There were more of these Panhellenic Games in Delphi, in Corinth and in Nemea, and as a wreath there was not just an olive branch or a laurel wreath, in addition to fame and honor, the athletes also wanted tangible prizes such as amphorae filled with oil or wine, from which they could live well. Many of the ancient athletes were professionals, and a number of scandals and attempts at fraud have come down to us from that time.
getting there
By plane
The nearest national airports are in Kalamata, approx. 115 km and the Araxos airport at Patras
In the street
Olympia can be reached from Patras on the N33 (approx. 100 km), from Tripoli on the N74 (approx. 115 km), from Kalamata on the E65 (approx. 115 km).
By boat
The next big port is in Patras (110 km). There or in Katakolo (34 km) numerous cruise ships dock, the passengers of which are then taken en masse with buses to Olympia.
mobility
The ancient sites are very easy to explore on foot, and the village is also quite clear. From the village there is a footpath over a bridge to the eastern bank of the Kladeos and the Archaeological Museum. The excavation area begins a little further south, from which you can return to the village on a sidewalk along the driveway.
Tourist Attractions
In the center of the picture you can see the walled area of the Altis with the Temple of Zeus (15), the Heraion (4). Next to the (green) Nymphaion (6) are the treasure houses (I-XII), in front of them the Zanes (8). On the left side are the training and competition facilities with the Palaestra (21) and the Leonidaion accommodation (29), in between were the Phidias workshop (24) and other accommodation. On the right side is the stadium (10), next to it probably the track for the chariot race. In the lower part you can see thermal baths (30) and Nero's villa (33).
- Zeus temple. The temple was built around 460 BC. erected, it was 64 m long and 28 m wide. In his cella there was a 12 m high Zeus statue, which was counted among the seven wonders of the world. Shell limestone from the surrounding area was used to build the temple, and it was covered with fine stucco. The roof and frieze were made of marble. The gargoyles were shaped like lions' heads, the gable friezes represented the founding myth of Olympia. Details can be found in the archaeological museum.
- Hera temple. The temple was built around 600 BC. erected and was 50 m long and over 18 m wide. The Hermes statue of Praxiteles comes from him. Olympian fire has been lit in front of the Heraion since 1936.
- The round one Nymphaeum (Nymphaion) of Herodes Atticus and the Treasure houses are north of the Hera temple. In front of them is a whole series of pedestals. On it were the Zanes, Zeus statues, these had to be donated by athletes if they could be convicted of cheating. 17 bases were found, the number of unreported cases unknown.
- Phidias's workshop. In early Christian times this building was redesigned and used as a basilica. During excavations, clear indications of its use as a workshop were found.
- Palaestra. Little has been preserved of the training and competition facilities for wrestlers and pugilists. Such a construction usually consisted of a changing room, a room for massages and ointments, practice rooms for ball players, pugilists and wrestlers. The athletes fought naked here, only the wrestlers oiled themselves beforehand and sprinkled themselves with sand. Perhaps that is why the Romans added their thermal baths to the complex.
- Stadion. Compared to other stadiums from that time, the Olympic Stadium was poorly equipped. There were no rows of seats for up to 45,000 spectators, there was only one grandstand for the referees and one for the only woman who was legally allowed to watch the games: the Demeter priestess. The starting threshold is preserved. Here the running disciplines were held (also naked): it was about the length of the track with 600 feet = 192.28 m, a double run and the long distance (24 times the length of the stadium). There was only one running discipline in which the opponents were dressed: the gun barrel.
- Archaeological Museum. A modern building outside of the excavation area. Room plan see illustration. To the right of the museum are museum shops, a restaurant and toilets.
It makes sense to visit the museum first and then go to the excavation sites. The facility and museum are open in summer from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., a combination ticket costs € 12 (as of 2017)
Outside the excavation area, at the entrance to Olympia, is in a classicist building Museum of the History of the Ancient Olympic Games
activities
- Discover
- hike. Small, signposted hiking trails lead through the area. The small Kladeos path is designed for about an hour and leads from the road by the school of Olympia or the entrance to the archaeological museum to the Alfeios river. The somewhat longer Galani path leads from the road by the school of Olympia to the archaeological museum.
- Swimming
shop
There are numerous souvenir shops in the village of Olympia
kitchen
The restaurant next to the museum resembles a loveless station hall, in the village of Olympia there are numerous cafes and restaurants, not only with the usual Greek salads and fast food offers.
Furthermore, the region around Olympia is a wine-growing area. Therefore, it makes sense to try this out here as well. A wine tasting is certainly the right way to start:
- OLYMPIA LAND WINERY (Manager: Mr. Liaromatis George.). Tel.: 30 2624023021, 30 6947434254, Email: [email protected].
nightlife
- Face nightclub
- Kalypso Nightclub
accommodation
- Apollon Olympia Hotel, 13 Douma str., Olympia (Is only about 100 meters from the excavation site). Tel.: 30-26240-22522, Fax: 30-26240-23068, Email: [email protected]. Check-in: 24 hours a day.
- Neda Hotel, Karamanli 1 - Arxaia Olympia Greece (Located on the outskirts in the direction of the excavation site). Tel.: 30-26240 22563, -26240 22692, Fax: 30-26240 22206, Email: [email protected]. Price: From € 50.00 upwards.
- Hotel Europe, 1 Drouva str, 27065, Ancient Olympia (Is a bit away from the village). Tel.: 30 26240 22650-23650-23850-22700, Fax: 30 26240 23166, Email: [email protected]. Price: from € 70.00 upwards.- Four star hotel
- Hotel Kronio, Tsoureka 1 / Ancient Olympia 27065 Greece (In place about 600 meters as the crow flies from the excavation site). Tel.: 30-26240-22188, 30-26240-29022, Fax: 30-26240-22502, Email: [email protected], [email protected]. Price: € 45.00.
trips
literature
- : Olympia and its buildings. Munich: Prestel-Verlag, 1972, ISBN 3791303201 , P. 313.
Web links
- Ancient Olympia informative private page
