Greece and Turkey 2015: Day 27- Olympia

The birthplace of the most famous sporting event in the world! And we're right here!!!! Our tour of the sporting sanctuary of Olympia begins with...

The gymnasium! Starting in 776 BC with the first ancient Olympic Games, this area (a rectangle created by four stoas, only two of which are still present) was used as a training center for the running and throwing events of the Games, including sprinting, javelin, and discus.

Wrestling was also another sport commonly practiced during this time period (Jared and Nate went back in time for this picture, even with a whistle from the people working at the site). This building was called the Palaestra and is comprised of a single row of pillars making up the square grassy area.

These pictures are the remains of Phideas' workshop, the sculptor credited with creating the cult statues of Zeus here in Olympia and Athena in the Parthenon in Athens. In the first photo we can see that the foundation and the brick structure were not made at the same time. This is because the Romans overtook the sanctuary during the first century AD and rebuilt it, essentially placing their new technology (in the form of bricks and mortar) on top of the Greek foundations. This building in particular was transformed into a Christian church, which we can see in the second photo. The wall here is the wall that hides the altar from few inside the semi-circular jut-out of the building, a common feature in Greek Orthodox churches. It must be noted that originally the workshop was built to the same specifications as the Temple of Zeus, so he knew the massive statue would fit inside the building when the time was right around 470 BC.

All three of these photos are of the (mostly reconstructed) Temple of Olympian Zeus, the largest Pagan temple in Mainland Greece and one of the seven wonders of the ancient world (two in one trip!!!) None of the Doric columns standing today are original, but were completely redone to show visitors how massive the structure was all those centuries ago. In the 6th century AD, two massive earthquakes topped the columns (that's why they are lying on their sides is a kind of domino pattern today), bringing the end of the massive structure.

This is the Temple of Hera, situated only a few steps from the temple dedicated to her husband. Every two years (a few months before each edition of the summer and winter Olympics), a ceremony is held here to begin the trek of the Olympic flame from here to the host city. What is interesting about this ceremony is the Olympic flame is not eternal, but started anew at this ceremony using only the sun's light and a bowl shaped mirror to start the fire, just as the ancient Olympians had done. Sorry to break your hearts....

In the foreground is the remains of the Altar of Zeus where ancient athletes would be required to take an oath before competing in the Games. Behind it is called a nymphium, or a fountain.

Here are two photos of the ancient stadium, which is sort of still in use today. It is officially 197.27 meters long (the length of one stadia- the unit of distance for the ancient Games) and about 30 meters wide. This is where all the running, wrestling, and throwing competitions would be held during the games, as watched by hundreds of thousands of men who would sit along the hillside. Wooden seats were eventually added to the stadium during the Roman era, but have since rotted away.

We also visited the museum at Olympia and here are a couple items worth mention.

This 6th century pediment comes from a group of treasuries just to the north of the Temple of Zeus in Olympia. Made of limestone, this structure depicts the epic battle between the Gods and the Giants, a battle we have seen quite often on this trip. In the center, Zeus appears to have a struck down one of the Giants (who appears to be falling down, with the help of Athena, Poseidon, Herecles, and Ares. The Romans are credited with adding the bottom inscription "Megarians" referring to the group of people who defeated the Corinthians during the Roman period.

By far one of the most famous statues ever found in Olympia is the marble statue of Nike, the Goddess of victory. Here, she has thrown her right hand behind her along with her right foot, as if she is flying down from the great Mount Olympus. Symbols of Zeus' power is also evident here, as Nike is riding in the air on an eagle's back. Standing 2.11 meters tall, it was found in a corner of the Temple of Zeus on the triangular base you see here. Originally, this was a gift of the Messenians and the Naupactians to the Gods after defeating the Spartans in 421 BC during Athens' classical period.

And now for the HIGHLIGHTS!

Thanks to Adriana for her presentation on Olympia and the Olympic Games. Wel done!