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It’s time for your morning jog…imagine running on a track rich in history. A place where ancient athletes once competed…
In Athens, you can!
Most visitors to Athens, make sure to see the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora and the Forum, but many don’t realize that the Panathenaic stadium is actually one of the most significant monuments in Athens and in all of Greece.
Located in the central Athens district of Pangrati, it is here that the Olympic flame sets up its journey to the cities of the Olympic games and is one of my favorite places to visit!
In 330 BC, a simple racecourse was built on the site and became the location of the Great Panathenaea, the religious and athletic festival celebrated every four years to honor the goddess Athena. With no formal seating, spectators sat on the inclines of the adjacent ravine to view the festivities.
In 144 AD, the stadium was rebuilt by Athenian Roman senator, Herodes Atticus, also responsible for many other structures throughout the country. Constructed entirely out of marble, it was a place for the masses with 50,000 seats. By the fourth century, however, the stadium was abandoned when Hellenistic festivals and bloody spectacles were banned by Roman Emperor Theodosius I and the structure fell into ruin.
After archaeological excavations uncovered the stadium in 1869, it was readied, once again, for use. By 1870, interest was shown in a revival of the original Olympic Games and thus the Zappas Olympics was held at the stadium that year and again in 1875. Refurbishment, approximately 20 years later, prepared the stadium for the opening and closing ceremonies and as a venue for four sports for the first modern Olympics in 1896.
During the 20th century, the stadium was once again used as an Olympic venue when Athens hosted the 28th Summer Olympic Games in 2004. With the motto, “Welcome Home”, this Olympics marked the return of the games to the city where they began. More importantly, a new medal design was introduced replacing one used since 1928. Guiseppe Cassioli, had designed a medal with a colossal mistake…a design depicting the Roman Colosseum rather than a Greek venue. The new design, rightfully, featured the Panathenaic Stadium.
Today, you can visit the stadium, take a seat on the smooth marble seats in the stands or run the well-maintained track. Not only it is great exercise to take a jog, but make sure to make the steep climb to the top of the stadium for an excellent view of the overall complex and the surrounding areas.
Two interesting Greek statues grace the far part of the track…your audio guide, included in your admission, will tell you about them…but be sure to take a close look.
Also, be certain not to miss the permanent exhibition located at the far left side of the stadium, through the vaulted passage, which contains original Olympic Games posters and torches from 1896 until today. Each torch is so unique to the host country, it is quite interesting to see them up close.
Lastly, when departing the exhibition and returning to the stadium’s interior, walk slowly through the vaulted passage…think back to the athletes as they breathed deeply, readied their minds and made they way toward their dream.
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Panathenaic Stadium
- http://www.panathenaicstadium.gr/Contact/tabid/93/language/en-US/Default.aspx
- Address: Vasileos Konstantinou Anevue (opposite the statue of Myron Discobolus) Athens 116 35
- Hours: March-October, 0800-1900, November-February, 0800-1700
- Admission: Adults, 5.00€, Children under 6, free, Students and over 65 years, 2.50€, persons with disabilities and those accompanying them, free. Audio guide included.