Olympia, Greece. HDR

The Wikipedia says that Olympia was a major Panhellenic religious sanctuary of ancient Greece, where the ancient Olympic Games were held. The site was primarily dedicated to Zeus and was one of a group of such Panhellenic centers which helped build the identity of the ancient Greeks as a nation. The games were held from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. The site housed many temples as well as treasuries, altars, statues, and other structures dedicated to many deities.

The main Temple of Zeus survives only as stones on the ground, but there are two temples which are slightly better preserved.  The Philippeion is the Ionic circular Tholos dedicated to Phillip, father of Alexander the Great. It was the only structure inside the sanctuary dedicated to a human.  The archaic Doric temple of Hera was built around 600 BC. In modern times, the torch of the Olympic flame is lit in its ruins.

Walking through the arch called Crypt, we enter the ancient stadium.

Near the site is the Olympia Museum which holds excavated east and west pediments of the Temple of Zeus.  Among other artifacts in the museum is the famous statue of Hermes holding the infant Dionysus in his left arm.

Greece – land of ancient civilizations, beautiful Byzantine churches and soulful songs.

From the Parthenon to the wonderful islands in the Aegean Sea, the history, splendid country sides and the quaint small towns – Greece is magical.

These travel videos will take you to ancient sites, like Olympia, Delphi, Athens’ Acropolis, Constantinople and many more. Come along.