I visited Ancient Olympia, the site of the original Olympic Games. It’s a beautiful area of pine trees, about 20 miles inland from the west coast port of Katakolo on the Greek Peloponnese. The Ancient Olympia site itself is not too large, maybe a half-mile square, so it is easy to walk around. We went in the Spring and there were many flowering trees among the pines and olives.
There are lots of interpretive signs that show how each building would have looked in its day. It must have been beautiful.
I learned that the ancient Greek architecture made use of the arch. For some reason, I always thought the arch was a Roman invention. There is a remnant of the long arched entrance into the stadium where contestants would enter the field.
The Philippeion was a round pillared building. It is partially restored to show what the pillars looked like. It was the only building in the inner sanctuary that was not dedicated to one of the Greek gods. Instead, it honored Phillip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great.
I ran a race with my dad across the length of the stadium and I won! I guess I’ll have to exercise him more often. It’s hard to believe I was running on the same field where the original Olympic athletes competed almost 2800 years ago.
On the way back to Katakolo, we stopped a very comfortable restaurant and vineyard. They had lots of grape vines and what looked to be ancient olive trees growing all around the building. We ate a lunch of cheese, sausage (my favorite), bread with olive oil and a variety of little treats. My dad said the wine was excellent. For dessert, we had baklava (I love baklava!!!). I wish I could have a meal like that every day!
I loved seeing the ancient buildings and walking where the original Olympic athletes walked. The food and the friendliness of our Greek hosts made me look forward to a return trip. I definitely want to see Greece again.
Ancient Olympia
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