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Olympia © GNTO
Olympia
Amongst shady pine, olive and oak trees, in a valley between
Mount Kronos and the Alfios River on the Peloponnese Peninsula, lie
the remains of two temples and the stadium where the first Olympic
Games took place in 776 BC. Since the modern Olympics were
inaugurated in 1896 torchbearers have set out from Olympia to carry
the Olympic flame in relays across the world to wherever the games
are held every four years. The site also boasts one of the finest
archaeological museums in Greece. The ruins themselves are
fascinating, being the remnants of an ancient Olympic village
including a gymnasium, baths, the Prytaneion where winners were
honoured, and a Doric Temple dedicated to Hera. In the nearby
modern village of Olympia there is another museum that is often
overlooked - the Museum of the Olympic Games, which contains some
interesting memorabilia from games past.
Telephone: 262 402 2529 (Olympia Museum)
Admission: €6 (adults), €3 concessions; €9 ticket for museum and site (concessions €5)