Ancient Stadium of Olympia

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Greece

Αποκεντρωμένη Διοίκηση Πελοποννήσου Δυτικής Ελλάδας και Ιονίου

Ancient Stadium of Olympia

Highlight • Historical Site

Ancient Stadium of Olympia

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Archaeological Site of Olympia

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Location: Αποκεντρωμένη Διοίκηση Πελοποννήσου Δυτικής Ελλάδας και Ιονίου, Greece

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January 29, 2023

Hiking

Olympia is the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Around 776 BC they took place for the first time. The first Olympic Games were a religious festival in honor of the father of the gods Zeus and the divine hero Pelpos. At the beginning there was only one race in the stadium (approx. 192 meters). In subsequent games, the number of competitions grew to 20 in the disciplines of athletics, heavy athletics, pentathlon and equestrian competition.

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Andy

January 29, 2023

Hiking

The stadium with its 192.28 m long and 31 m wide running track is embedded by grass walls. The spectators found a place on them. A small stone platform was built for the judges. As the only woman in the games, the chief priestess of the Temple of Hera also took a seat in the stands. Access to the stadium is through a vaulted passage through the western wall.

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Andy

January 29, 2023

Hiking

In ancient times, Olympia in the western Peloponnese was one of the largest cultural centers in Greece: as the sanctuary of Zeus and as the venue for the first Olympic Games of antiquity. According to old myths, the gods held sporting competitions here long before humans did.

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