Tour of the marble stadium of the first Olympic Games

• Tour of the marble stadium of the first Olympic Games

The ancient Greek games were held in Olympia, about three hundred times in the period from 776 to 394 and our AD. And the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896 in Athens. And not somewhere, and on the marble Panathenaic Stadium (also Panathinaikos, Panathinaiko Stadio) in the heart of the capital. From antiquity to the 19th century arena is almost nothing left, but there was one who funded the large-scale reconstruction. We go to the place where rejoice the most important sporting events ...

So, in the late nineteenth century, the French for rebirth of the Olympic Games sports and public figure, Baron Pierre de Coubertin collects the first congress of the International Olympic Committee. It was decided to hold the Summer Games in 1896 in Greece. Then there was still no Olympic flame (introduced in 1936 at the Berlin Olympics) or the Olympic oath, but it was the stadium.

Panathenaic Stadium, which is now considered to be the eternal symbol of sport and culture, was built in 329 BC. e. governor of Lycurgus of Athens. Its unique feature it has acquired a little later, after 500 years. In Roman times the arena was entirely covered with white marble from Mount Pentelikon. The same marble was used for the construction of the great buildings of the Acropolis.

Pentelic marble is distinguished by its perfectly uniform white color with a cream shade.

If you look closely, you will notice that a few seats of the first row are different from the rest. This two marble throne on which the king sat.

The rounded part of the stadium is called Sfendoni.

By the way, we pay attention to the shape of the stadium? In the form of an elongated horseshoe.

According to some reports the stadium could accommodate 50,000 spectators.

And this cave, from which in ancient times in the arena of gladiators out, hiding magical powers. Young Athenians gathered here at night, lit a fire in the center of the cave, and began a drink with bread, honey and almonds. They thought and believed that the ritual will be carried out better, the better husband, whom they will find. After libations girls took off their clothes and danced naked. Adult women while guarding the entrance to the cave (who knows what).

Now, in the depths of caves are located premises. Here and all original Olympic torches.

Stadium period of decline begins with the advent of Christianity in the late 4th century. Arena bombarded, light marble is used as construction material in the construction of homes and churches Athens. Once the arena area and used for agricultural purposes.