Olympic Games, a photo from Ilia, Peloponnesus

Photographer's Note

OLYMPIA, ruined ancient sanctuary, home of the ancient Olympic Games, and former site of the massive Statue of Zeus, which had been ranked as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Olympia is located near the western coast of the Peloponnese peninsula of southern Greece, 10 miles (16 km) inland from the Ionian Sea, near a point where the Alpheus (Alfios) and Cladeus (Kladios) rivers meet. Set amid an idyllic countryside consisting of low, wooded hills alternating with farmland, the Olympia archaeological site is of outstanding cultural significance. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1989.

The festival of Zeus, of which the Olympic Games were a part, was held there every four years from 776 BCE until the end of the 4th century CE, when the Roman emperor Theodosius I abolished pagan festivals. Theodosius II had the temples destroyed in 426; earthquakes further damaged the ruins in 522 and 551. Mudslides and silt from the Cladeus River eventually covered much of the area, helping to preserve the site.

In the main picture the known view of the Philippeion.
The Philippeion was an Ionic circular memorial in limestone and marble, a tholos, which contained chryselephantine (ivory and gold) statues of Philip's family: himself, Alexander the Great, Olympias, Amyntas III and Eurydice I. It was made by the Athenian sculptor Leochares in celebration of Philip's victory at the battle of Chaeronea (338 BC).

In Workshop1 - the entrance to the stadium.
In Workshop2 - The place where the Olympic fire is ignited several months before the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.

Eleven women, representing the Vestal Virgins, perform a celebration at the Temple of Hera in which the first torch of the Olympic Torch Relay is kindled by the light of the Sun, its rays concentrated by a parabolic mirror. A female performer, acting as a priestess then presents the torch and an olive branch to the first relay bearer (who also is a Greek athlete) followed by a dove release to symbolize peace.

I observe that there is no special interest of Trekkers in the ancient heritage.
As usual, much better to see it in the large format.

jhm, holmertz, NickVu, PaulVDV, pierrefonds, ikeharel, COSTANTINO, ChrisJ, Royaldevon, mcmtanyel ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

jhm (211736) 2021-12-02 11:32

Hello Malgo,

All three your pictures are very instructive.
We get a nice view about the ruins of the Olympiade.
The pandemie have cares for very few public
Everything perfect photographed, with perfect details
Excellent composition.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice evening,
John

lousat (139220) 2021-12-02 12:05

Ciao Malgoyou can breathe the Olympic spirit perfectly, many centuries have passed but I relive the same emotion that the athletes of the time and those of today relive, and I find this thing in observing the entry into the WS. Three great photos with really useful notes ... I don't know about the other members, but I care a lot, also because I've never been there. Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

holmertz (102650) 2021-12-02 12:46

Hello Malgo,
I don't think you need to worry too much about the lack of interest in the ancient heritage among Trekkers. The problem is there aren't many Trekkers left at all. I find all these photos interesting, and they are well taken, of course, but somehow I feel that I will be able to die peacefully one day without having been here. It is a great relaxation to accept that I can't see all interesting places in the world.
Kind regards,
Gert

PaulVDV (62880) 2021-12-02 15:04

Hello Malgo,
On my first travels in Europe I had a fondness for the ancient historical sites. I also liked history at school. We had a good teacher who made us interested in it.
I've visited Olympia on my first Greek journey in 1978.
I haven't looked at my photos from that time for a long time, but what you show us in your three photos does evoke memories.
Later I learned to be also interested in other places that might not make the history books but are typical of other places / other cultures.
I remember I chose Delfi over Olympia. The mountainous terrain was clearly responsible for this.
Your recent photos bring back some past Greek travels in my mind.
Only Arachova I didn't know at all. Now I do :)
Best regards, Paul

pierrefonds (114395) 2021-12-02 15:18

Hi Malgo,

The trees are framing well the ruins. The point of view is showing the details of the Philippeion. The cloudy sky does not hurt the colors output. Have a nice day.

Pierre

abmdsudi (95869) 2021-12-02 20:56

Hi Malgorzata
Good viewpoint of one impressive ruin showing the real size within a pleasant environment. Nice compositional arrangement on this appealing subject matter.
Best regards

Silvio1953 (221525) 2021-12-02 22:18

Ciao cara Malgo, lgreat view of fascinating ruines, superb sky wonderful colors and fantastic light, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

ifege (48019) 2021-12-02 22:47

Hi Malgo
A good very informative trio of photos from ancient Olympia.
cheers
Ian

COSTANTINO (116421) 2021-12-02 22:50

Hello dear Malgorzata
thanks for your description and your
useful notes about Olympia the ancient
sanctuary...
regards
Costantino

jemaflor (147076) 2021-12-02 23:39

Hi Malgo,
Good photo about these ruins and this location, famous stadium for the first Olympic games, your photo reminds me my visit here few years ago, good Ws too, tfs.

ChrisJ (171822) 2021-12-03 23:52

Hello Malgo

Looks a little like the Tholos in Delphi which I have seen. But despite travelling across the Peloponnesus twice I have yet to visit Olympus, so thanks for uploading.

Royaldevon (85896) 2021-12-04 6:02

Hello Małgo,

This is such an important, historical site, and though the sky was quite cloudy, you have still been able to capture the ruins with excellent clarity.
When we were there, it was so hot that the guide had an umbrella (as a parasol) and we had to move from tree to tree to protect ourselves from the sun!
Despite that, some people still tried to run the length of the 100 metres dash!

My warm regards,
Bev 😊

LondonBoy (2472) 2022-01-01 3:08