Ships call at the sleepy port of Katakolon at the western edge of the Peloponnese because it's close to the archeological site of Olympia, where the ancient Olympic Games were held. Otherwise, Katakolon is pretty much a one-horse town with a big pier. Obviously it is very tourist orientated with loads of little shops selling curio type things.
Our tour today was of Olympia. Was this an eye opener for Hubby and I? To think that we were walking through one of the most important sanctuaries of ancient Greece.
There is so much history to this archeological site that I advise you to google it for more information. Hubby and I buy books at all these type of places but I cannot bore you all with this. I have found the following to be quite a good summary (titbit) of what Olympia is.
The archeological site is found at the foot of Kronos hill. The Olympic Games originated here in 776 B.C., although the Sanctuary of Olympia dates to the 10th and 9th century B.C. This is also where the Olympic flame of the modern games is lit (using sunlight and a lens). This was amazing for us to see.
All the buildings at Olympia were built either for the early games or to celebrate Zeus and the other gods. Visitors today see the remains of the temples, changing rooms, gymnasia and other buildings, as well as the outdoor stadium where the competitions were held.
Competitors in the ancient games had to be Greek, born free (not slaves) and without criminal convictions. The oldest contests were foot races, but eventually the challenges grew to include warrior games, a pantathalon, wrestling and chariot races. As with the modern games, revived in 1896, the original games took place every four years. But in the ancient games all competitors were male and competed in the nude. The winner's reward was an olive oil branch and a wreath said to be from a tree planted by Hercules.
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