Panathenaic Stadium – Ancient Stadium in Athens, Greece
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Athens is one of Greece’s major cultural hotspots and visitors and locals can both enjoy the richness of this city. True, it is a city where its people enjoy a modern lifestyle, but remnants from Ancient Greece can be spotted throughout. However, there are some places where notion of “past meets the present” are more obvious. The Panathenaic Stadium is one such example. Although it was built in the 6th Century B.C., it is still periodically being used today. Here’s more about this historical stadium:
History of the Panathenaic Stadium
This historic stadium is an important part of the past and present of Athens, Greece. It was originally built in the 6th Century B.C. and its original purpose was to host the Panathenaic Games, which were dedicated to the goddess Athena, who was the patron goddess of the city. At the time when it was first built, it was used as a racecourse during the games and there was actually no formal seating. This was added to the site later on. A stadium made of limestone was built in the 4th Century B.C., which is when the seating was eventually added. It was reconstructed around 144 B.C. There was also a point in its history that it was completely abandoned. It was reconstructed in the modern era and was actually used in the 1896 Olympic Games. The stadium was used again in the 2004 Olympics. The stadium has also been used as a concert venue.
Visiting the Panathenaic Stadium
While in Athens, you absolutely must visit this historic stadium. It is a great example of how Greece has been able to merge the past and the present. It’s also a great architectural feat and is considered one of the architectural wonders of the world. If you’re spending time in Athens or the surrounding the area, you will want to make sure you pay a visit to this historical place. You will not only get an overview of its history, but seeing it in person helps you realize how truly impressive it is. You can take a tour of the site once you get here, but it is also possible to visit it through a tour group if you are seeing the other sites in the city. Ask at your hotel for more information about the best way to see this ancient stadium. While here, you also won’t want to miss the display of past Olympic torches and each year that the Olympics take place, the Olympic flame does pass through here.
It has long been held that the Panathenaic Stadium is one of those things that you absolutely must see while in Athens. However, it seems to get glossed over in favor of other places, such as the Parthenon. Each of these places is no more important than the other since they are all part of the city’s history. However, one thing is certain – this is one of those places that absolutely shouldn’t be ignored.
Source:
Wikipedia – Panathenaic Stadium
Categorized in: About Athens, Greece, Greek Travel Guide
This post was written by Greek Boston
