Suppose you watch the Olympics and are mesmerized by the athletics but, for whatever reason, can’t travel to the host country to see them in person. In that case, there’s one place you can travel to that is the original Olympic destination. You can travel to see the original site the Olympics were founded on, the ancient Grecian land that has been inhabited for centuries and worshipped for just as long. Whether you want to line up at the original starting line or want to bask in the rich culture and history of the site, just like the ancient Greeks did, Olympia should be on the top of your list of destinations to explore next. We know you’ll give it the gold medal.
When Sports Were Done in Honor of the Gods
In a valley in the Peloponnesus, Olympia has been a mecca for locals and travelers alike since the prehistoric age.
During the 10th century B.C., Olympia was the center for the worship of Zeus. They constructed the Temple of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, which housed a gigantic statue of the Greek God.
By 776 B.C., the ancient civilization formed the first Olympic games to honor the Gods, holding them every four years in the stadiums they built near the temples. Of course, we can only see the remains of these incredible structures, but they are no less impressive in their old age.
The Ruins Are Best During Certain Times in the Year
The temple ruins remain, as do the tons of Greek columns that once lined the ancient buildings. There is also an unprecedented number of masterpieces and artifacts that have survived as well.
Olympia is a “unique universal symbol of peace and competition at the service of virtue,” therefore one of the most integral places in Greece. Thousands of pilgrims journey to see where religion meets sport every year.
Still, Olympia is only truly beautiful during certain times of the year. The best times to travel to Greece are any time in the spring or fall. The country’s peak season is the summer, of course, so if you want to avoid big crowds, that time of year isn’t advisable. It’s also scorching hot during that time!
One thing is for sure, if you visit Olympia, you’ll see heavenly views that have been looked upon for centuries. Why not feast your eyes too?