Olympia ~ McC Ab Test

We drove south from that big suspension bridge near Patras around the western coast of Peloponnesus, through flat agricultural areas apparently known for excellent water melons, and strawberries, and all sort of other products. The road then turned inland, and we arrived at Olympia.

Olympia is another ancient site, similar in some ways to Delphi, but of greater significance to the modern world because it is the site of the original Olympic Games. In ancient Greece the Olympic games were held every four years from about 800 BC until 400 AD, or about 1,200 years! Today the Olympic torch starts its journey here every four years, before being carried around the world to whichever city is hosting the modern games.

Olympia is on a fairly level site (unlike Delphi), and was buried for centuries under up to 8 metres of sediment until it was rediscovered in the 1800's. Like the other ancient sites, Olympia has a modern museum adjacent where the more valuable finds from the site are stored and exhibited.

Lunch at Olympia - a break after the long drive from Delphi.

Oleanders (we think?) grow wild here, including along some of the motorways.

In the Olympia museum. Sculptures originally from the temple pediment.

Nike, the godess of victory. A more flowing style of sculpture.

A small bronze horse, from 500 BC.

A cheeky view of Hermes (aka Mercury).

The actual site of Olympia is adjacent to the museum, and has been excavated to reveal much of the original layout. There is still more to be found, but there is currently no money in Greece for further exploration, so it will have to wait. All structures have been levelled, apart from a few reconstructed columns, and the site is littered with fallen sections of the temples and buildings which once stood.

We saw the original Olympic stadium, which is a very simple oblong track surrounded by grass embankments. There were never any seats, so it is very simple compared to our modern stadiums - but no doubt it will outlast them all!