Mitzi made it to Olympia! One of the 3 places left on my bucket list. (Well, at least on my current list that is!) All 3 destinations are on this cruise, perfect! Olympia was on my list because I wanted to see where the Olympic torch is lit for the games. Can’t tell you why that was important to me, but it was. Maybe it was my fascination with Greek mythology when I was young, maybe it was because I held a torch in Churchill for the last winter Olympics that were in Canada, or maybe it was just my teacher curiosity. Whatever the reason, I was quite excited when I headed out on that tour. And now, not only have I stood on the exact place where the flame begins, I’ve also stood on the playing field at the ancient stadium, wow! Quite a moving experience! Talk about walking in the footsteps of others…what a thrill to walk in the footsteps of ancient history.
The ship docked in Katakolon and it was a short drive to Olympia. Usually I am not the best tourist, I get bored easily and wander away from the guide and group to go off on my own. I always ask the guide when and where we will meet next, ever since my first trip to Europe when I almost got left at the gift shop behind Buckingham Palace after sneaking away from the group. Turns out that tactic wasn‘t necessary this time, I was enthralled with her stories, hung on to her every word! I even took some notes because I didn’t want to forget a thing, after all, I was in Olympia, Greece! I could probably write a book about what I learned but I will try to just write about part of the experience. To be honest, I get goose bumps when I think that I was actually ON the ancient field, so yes Jon, it is worth the trip there!
Olympia was a village started by people who left the Mt. Olympus area in the north of Greece in 3,000 BC, hence the name. The archeological site that you see now is above 2 other civilizations. Truly a difficult concept to imagine after growing up in the US. The museum is fascinating. I have to say my favorite part was seeing the helmet worn in the battle between the Greeks and the Persians when the Greeks were outnumbered and still won the battle. Such ancient history, and stories that make the Greek history come alive. After the visit to the museum, it was time to go to the village. I can’t compare the anticipation to that of when I was on my way to Monet’s Garden in Giverny, or the great pyramids of Giza, but close!
As you enter the stadium, you first come across the ruins of the gymnasium, where the athletes practiced and studied. There are the ruins of several places where this happened for the various activities. I learned the differences in the Greek structures, the use of large blocks, and the Roman construction, where they use bricks and concrete to build structures. I know the difference between Ionic and Doric columns…important? Probably not, but fun to know anyway, learning first hand while standing among these in the ancient Olympic village. Then we came to the ruins of the 2 sanctuaries there…the temple of Zeus and the temple of Hera, Zeus’ wife. There is an open space in front of the temple of Hera where the torch is started for each Olympic ceremony.
I had no idea of the process that is followed each time the preparations begin. I actually stood in the exact place this happens! Again, wow! A very large vessel is brought into the space in front of the Temple of Hera. The vessel is only handled by Greek women dressed all in white, representing the high priestesses of ancient times. The vessel is bronze on the outside and mirrored on the inside. Branches are put inside and people wait…wait for the sun to start the fire! It takes patience we were told, and when the flame appears, the priestesses then take the fire to the stadium where it is passed to the men…who will then take it on its 3 month journey. Why 3 months…the meaning? Well, in ancient times the Olympics were an occasion for all the Greeks to come together in peace to worship to Zeus and then the athletics begin. In ancient times, the torch was being carried to notify the people and villages that all conflicts were to stop for this celebration during this 3 months. Hence, the flaming torch has been the symbol of peace and truth. Truth ties in with the real meaning of athlete…
The term athlete actually means someone who is healthy in body and mind, achieving an elevated state of mind. So at the games the one who performed the best in the activity, was not necessarily the winner! The men were judged on their entire behavior during the gatherings. The original ‘games’ were not the reason for the gathering. Every 4 years the different peoples of Greece came together to honor Zeus and after the praying had been completed, then the practice and the games would begin.
One more bit of history, the stadium held 45,000 people, but there were no seats. Athletes entered the stadium through a tunnel, which somewhat remains today though looks like an arch. The only seats in the stadium are about halfway up the 600 ft. field, on the sidelines…where the judges sat. Why didn’t they sit at the finish line? Because the winner wasn’t necessarily the one who crossed first as I said.
So that is the end of your history lesson on Olympia! It was a wonderful experience, however one that I feel no need to do again, this for me, was a once in a lifetime experience!
What a different experience, after spending the day with friends in Mykonos, to go back to being a tourist. I realized that I took very few photos in Mykonos this time, that was about seeing friends, made up for it in Olympia!
Next report will be from Corfu, in the Ionian Sea, the next stop on my bucket list cruise!
The ship docked in Katakolon and it was a short drive to Olympia. Usually I am not the best tourist, I get bored easily and wander away from the guide and group to go off on my own. I always ask the guide when and where we will meet next, ever since my first trip to Europe when I almost got left at the gift shop behind Buckingham Palace after sneaking away from the group. Turns out that tactic wasn‘t necessary this time, I was enthralled with her stories, hung on to her every word! I even took some notes because I didn’t want to forget a thing, after all, I was in Olympia, Greece! I could probably write a book about what I learned but I will try to just write about part of the experience. To be honest, I get goose bumps when I think that I was actually ON the ancient field, so yes Jon, it is worth the trip there!
Olympia was a village started by people who left the Mt. Olympus area in the north of Greece in 3,000 BC, hence the name. The archeological site that you see now is above 2 other civilizations. Truly a difficult concept to imagine after growing up in the US. The museum is fascinating. I have to say my favorite part was seeing the helmet worn in the battle between the Greeks and the Persians when the Greeks were outnumbered and still won the battle. Such ancient history, and stories that make the Greek history come alive. After the visit to the museum, it was time to go to the village. I can’t compare the anticipation to that of when I was on my way to Monet’s Garden in Giverny, or the great pyramids of Giza, but close!
As you enter the stadium, you first come across the ruins of the gymnasium, where the athletes practiced and studied. There are the ruins of several places where this happened for the various activities. I learned the differences in the Greek structures, the use of large blocks, and the Roman construction, where they use bricks and concrete to build structures. I know the difference between Ionic and Doric columns…important? Probably not, but fun to know anyway, learning first hand while standing among these in the ancient Olympic village. Then we came to the ruins of the 2 sanctuaries there…the temple of Zeus and the temple of Hera, Zeus’ wife. There is an open space in front of the temple of Hera where the torch is started for each Olympic ceremony.
I had no idea of the process that is followed each time the preparations begin. I actually stood in the exact place this happens! Again, wow! A very large vessel is brought into the space in front of the Temple of Hera. The vessel is only handled by Greek women dressed all in white, representing the high priestesses of ancient times. The vessel is bronze on the outside and mirrored on the inside. Branches are put inside and people wait…wait for the sun to start the fire! It takes patience we were told, and when the flame appears, the priestesses then take the fire to the stadium where it is passed to the men…who will then take it on its 3 month journey. Why 3 months…the meaning? Well, in ancient times the Olympics were an occasion for all the Greeks to come together in peace to worship to Zeus and then the athletics begin. In ancient times, the torch was being carried to notify the people and villages that all conflicts were to stop for this celebration during this 3 months. Hence, the flaming torch has been the symbol of peace and truth. Truth ties in with the real meaning of athlete…
The term athlete actually means someone who is healthy in body and mind, achieving an elevated state of mind. So at the games the one who performed the best in the activity, was not necessarily the winner! The men were judged on their entire behavior during the gatherings. The original ‘games’ were not the reason for the gathering. Every 4 years the different peoples of Greece came together to honor Zeus and after the praying had been completed, then the practice and the games would begin.
One more bit of history, the stadium held 45,000 people, but there were no seats. Athletes entered the stadium through a tunnel, which somewhat remains today though looks like an arch. The only seats in the stadium are about halfway up the 600 ft. field, on the sidelines…where the judges sat. Why didn’t they sit at the finish line? Because the winner wasn’t necessarily the one who crossed first as I said.
So that is the end of your history lesson on Olympia! It was a wonderful experience, however one that I feel no need to do again, this for me, was a once in a lifetime experience!
What a different experience, after spending the day with friends in Mykonos, to go back to being a tourist. I realized that I took very few photos in Mykonos this time, that was about seeing friends, made up for it in Olympia!
Next report will be from Corfu, in the Ionian Sea, the next stop on my bucket list cruise!
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