Visit Olympia Greece: The Home Of The Olympics

While many cruise ships passengers visit Olympia

, Greece, these passengers really do not have the time to properly explore this wondrous place and delve deeply into its ancient heritage. This was the birthplace of the original Olympic games, where it was held every four years from 776 BC until they were banned by the Catholic Roman emperor Theodosius in 394 AD. The idolisation of the Greek gods was frowned upon, as was the fact that the Olympian competitors wore nothing but a smile.

There are a superabundance of sites and sights to explore in this historic town. One of the most famous and important in all of Greece is the Olympia museum, this houses a spectacular array of sculptures from antiquity, of which the bronze collection is the one of most extensive and important of its type in the world. It also boasts a unique collection of terracotta works and, although, it is not the most imposing structure in the world, it has faithfully reproduced a Grecian columned portico to greet its patrons.

If you plan to visit Olympia Greece, then a site you should add to your itinerary is Altis, the sanctuary. This contains a variety of structures, two of the most significant being the Temple of Zeus and the Temple of Hera. These are located in the sacred enclosure known as the Temonos. It is here that you will also find the area of the altar; this is something that will appeal to the more macabre taste, since it is where sacrifices were made to the gods of old. Off to the east is the site of the Hippodrome and the stadium where the Olympiads sought to prove their mettle and endurance.

After a day of exploring the past, there is nothing better than to sit down to a great meal with local wine, and of course, the obligatory glass of ouzo, a strong anise flavoured alcohol. You are in exactly in the right place for this, since here you can dine on the freshest of seafood and sample the other dishes for which Greece is renowned for, Moussaka and a bewildering selection of lamb dishes. After your main course you can sample the delights of the traditional Greek cheeses, Anthotiros (made from sheep or goats milk, or a blend of both) and, of course, the world famous Feta cheese. All that is required now, to round off a perfect visit to Olympia, Greece is to call in to one of the Greek Taverna's, where you can mingle with the locals and enjoy a merry night of traditional entertainment.

by: Giorgos Kontopoulos

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