Olympia

LOur visit to the Sanctuary of Olympia was outstanding.  This was the Mecca of Greek religion and one of its most important places of worship.  People did not actually live here and it was set aside aside as a monastery and a pilgrimage site.  Ancient Grreks only came here every four years for the athletic contests held to honor Zeus. As many as 40,000 Greek men gathered from all over Greece with the first Olympics held in 1150 BC with the last ones held in AD 393.  The museum was outstanding with an incredible collection of statues and artifacts dating back to 600 BC.  The workmanship and condition was unbelievable and it was a privilege to see these wonderful pieces of art. Led by a very knowledgeable historian she helped bring this ancient civilization to life.  Touring the site itself was an experience with the two highlights definitely being the Olympic Stadium where hundreds of years before the time of Christ the true heart of the Olympics began.  The second memorable site is the Altar of Hera where before each Olympic Games to this day the Olympic Torch is lit.  The next time we see a Olympic Torch relay it will certainly have new meaning.

Leaving Olympia we travelled down to Kardamyli,a charming little village on the Mani Peninsula.  In the sixth century AD the residents of this village were forced up into the hills by attacking pirates and built themselves fortified compounds which contained everything the community needed to sustain life and keep themselves safe.  We hiked up the hill and. I visited one which was really interesting.  The lookout tower gave them a panoramic view to watch for approaching enemies.  The rest of our time in Kardamyli we strolled the beach and the delightful Main Street and restaurants. A nice rest from our hectic pace.

In the ancient Olympics their was only one winner and it was standing under this statue of Apollo that the athletes received their wreathed of olive leaves.

An incredible statue from 400 BC which adorned the temple of Zeus

This seven foot tall statue from 340 BC by Praxiteles was discovered in the Temple of Hera.  Called Hermes this statue was mesmerizing. His anatomy was perfection and his work served as an example to many great artists over the centuries 

Statues of Greek armour from centuries BC were so intricate in detail 

So incredible that these statues have survived over 2500 years

Temple of Zeus was the first of the Golden Age Temples and not much smaller than the Parthenon 

 

Everyone thinks this is where the Olympic flame is lit and all gather round madly snapping pictures.  In reality this is part of an old fountain.  In Greek ancient sites one is not allowed to pose for pictures.  For example we saw a tourist pretending to hold high the Olympic flame in front of this fountain and one of the site guards made them erase the pictures.

Local women dress up in priestess garb to light the Olympic flame

This is the Altar of Hera where the Olympic flame is actually lit for each Olympic Games.  A curved cauldron shaped mirror is used to focus the rays of the sun to ignite the flame which is carried into the stadium before it is flown to the country where the games will be taking place.  The next flame will be lit October 24th for the 2018 Winter Games in South Korea.

Original Olympic Stadium with the judges box on the right and the seat on the left for the Princess of Fertlity who was the only female allowed to view the games.  This stadium was built in th fifth century BC.

Eric coming into the finish line at the ancient Olympic Stadium. Gold Medal Performance as he was the only participant.

The entrance to the stadium through which all the athletes came. Holes in the rocks served as lockers for their clothes as all participants performed in the nude.

Remains of the Temple of Apollo

Gymnasium ruins, the largest building on the site

Ruins of the Phillppeion built by Philp of Macedon to mark his triumph over the Greeks

Communal water supply for the village 

A Maniot fortified village up the hill in Kardamyli on the Mani Peninsula 

The church within the compound 

The fortified compound would have everything with which the family needed to survive including live stock and gardens 

Pathway up to old homes

View from the tower

This is a parking lot in a small town. The trees are olive trees and I assume the tires are to protect them from cars hitting them

Olive trees live for hundreds of years and as long as they are pruned properly they will keep producing 

The Mediterranean though very rocky in places is crystal clear

Eric enjoying a traditional Mani pie and of course a glass of local wine

A really fun olive tasting at what you can see was quite the eclectic place. The owner was into organic growing and made all sorts of soaps and creams as well as olives and pure olive oil. The olives were delicious 

Yani telling us how he came to get into this business. He was a professor in Australia and came home to look after his sick Mom and took over the family business 

An array of some of his products.