Rob and Sarah Whiteman: Olympia

And so to the seat of the Original Olympic games, Ancient Olympia, where the Olympic flame still starts its journey every four years.

As seen below, alas Sarah had no torch to light.

The Temple of Hera is in the background.

As we were late arriving and being the weekend we decided to give the hoards time to settle and visit the Museum of the Olympic games first.

This museum charts the ancient history of the games from 776 BC.

All the items on show give a unique insight into type of events and also the equipment used by the contestants. A very interesting museum. We were amazed at the size and weight of the armour and shields that were used in the armed running event especially as even in those days the games took place in August .

Originally women were not even allowed to spectate at the games but later they introduced one running event and this figurine shows their attire.( The men competed Naked)

Some of the original Laurels.

This bronze shield was three feet across.

The archaeological site was next. The crowds had thinned as we wandered through the past.

The site is vast and covers not only the games but was also a religious, political and administrative centre for over a thousand years.

Because of this there are examples of temples from the 7th c BC up to the Roman period.

The oldest is the temple of Hera and it is close to where the Olympic flame is lit.

The grandest is the temple of Zeus from the 5thc BC.

The circular temple was commissioned by Phillip 11nd of Macedon.

Surrounding these two are the training areas and accommodation for the athletes and guests.

There is also of course the stadium.

We ended our visit in the Arce logical museum which houses artefacts from prehistoric to Roman times. This is a well laid out Museum with a mass of artefacts from the site with amazing statuary and votive figures.