Panathenaic Stadium, Athens

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The stadium (also known as the Kallimarmaron, i.e. the "beautifully marbled") was built for the 1896 Summer Olympics, with completion funding provided by the Greek benefactor George Averoff whose marble statue now stands at the entrance. The stadium was built long before dimensions for athletics venues were standardized and its track and layout follow the ancient hairpin-like model. It can seat about 80 000 spectators on 50 rows of marble steps.

You may watch my high resolution photo of Athens on the Google Earth according to the following coordinates 37º 58' 8.64" N 23º 44' 25.68" E or on my Google Earth Panoramio Panathinaiko Stadium.

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If you are into sports and you like Olympic Games (I don’t!) Panathinaic Stadium is easy to visit as it is located in the center of Athens.

It is famous because it was the stadium that the first modern Olympic Games took place in 1896 and in this very same spot the Panathenaic Games also took place in honor of the goddess Athena. It was a set of games held every four years, actually part of a much larger religious festival, the Panathenaia.

The stadium is also known in Greece as “Kalimarmaro”(beautiful marble). It is the only one in the world completely made by Pendilis white marble and it’s 204m long and 83 m wide. It can seat about 75.000 people on 50 rows of its U-shape style. The original panathenaic stadium built in 330BC, then reconstructed many times and the stadium’s contemporary structure is a true copy of the one built in 144 AD by Heroed Atticus.

There is a cafe next to the stadium to wash down the heat or go up to Arditos Hill for the jogging track as many others do or just for the view. If you pass by the stadium in the night you will notice some nice lights on it and probably you can visit Half Note jazz club which is 5' walk from there (see my nightlife tip) opposite the Athens First Cemetery (some famous greek people are lying here, you can wander around during the day if you like to visit places like this, like tourists do at Pere Lachaise in Paris etc)

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This stadium was the site of the first modern Olympics in 1896. It was built on the site of ruins used for atheletic events since the 4th century BC. You can't enter the stadium except of during events but one side is enclosed only by a fence for easy viewing.

The Panathenaic Stadium of Athens was constructed in marble and therefore called "Kallimarmaro" for the first Olympic Games of modern times in 1896. Today it is closed for the reconstruction or construction work nearby I couldn't figure that out, but nevertheless the outcome is the same.

This beautiful marble stadium was built in the 4th century BC. It has been restored twice and its capacity is 70.000 spectators. In 1896 the first modern Olympic games were held in this Stadium. In Greek, the Stadium is called "Panathinaikó Stàdio", meaning "The Stadium of all Athenians".

The Kali Marmara (Beautiful Marble, I guess) Olympic Stadium hosted the first contemporary Olympic Games.

It was reconstructed back in 19th century using the remains of ancient Roman stadium built in 4th century BC.

2004 Olympic Games are going to start here (it is the finish of the Marathon) so the construction is being modernized. You won't enter it :(

Panathenaic stadium or Kallimarmaro was remade in marble in 329BC
(original it had wooden seat)Used from the ancient years to host
the Panathenaic games was rebuilt again in 1896
to host the first Olympic games (with 80000 seats)
it was used again in 2004 Olympic games hosting
the finish line of the marathon race

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Originally built in the 4th century B.C., the
Panathenaic stadium, was remade in marble
by Lycurgus in 329 B.C. for the athletic
event of Panathinaea. During this annual
athletic event, the stadium hosted racing,
boxing, jumping, javelin throw, chariot and
horse racing. It was expanded by Herodes
Atticus in 144 A.D. to accommodate 50,000
people, while in Roman times it was used as
an arena. Also known as Kallimarmaron
(beautiful marble), it was rebuilt once again
with funds provided by Athenian benefactor
George Averoff to host the first modern
Olympic Games of 1896. During these
Games, about 280 male athletes from 12
countries participated in 43 events, covering
athletics (track and field), cycling, swimming,
gymnastics, weightlifting, wrestling, fencing,
shooting, and tennis. Its hairpin-like shape
adds to its uniqueness, setting it apart from
modern stadia. Up until the ‘50s, Ilissos River
streamed in front of it. The remnants of the
Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s
Gate are a five minute walk from the venue.
In the Athens 2004 Olympics, the stadium
hosted the archery competition and the
marathon finish line. Today it is a tourist
attraction, used only for special events.