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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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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. Address: Vasileos Konstantinou, MetsPhone: 210 3251744
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It was originally a natural hollow part of the ground between the two hills of Agra and Ardettos, over Ilissos river. It was transformed into a stadium by Lykourgos in 330-329 BC for the athletic competitions of the Great Panathinaea Festivities. Between 140 and 144 AD, Herodes Atticus restored the Stadium, giving it the form that was found at the 1870 excavation: the horseshoe construction with a track 204,07 meters long and 33,35 meters wide. It is believed that the Stadium had a seating capacity of 50.000 people. Separating scales were built between the tiers and on the base of the sphendone there was a portico with Doric-style columns; another portico was placed in the stadium's facade. Herodes possibly restored also the Ilissos river bridge on the Stadium's entrance, making it larger and adding three archways on its base. The bridge was standing there up to 1778 and a part of it was excavated in 1958. At the Roman times, the Stadium was used as an arena, with the addition of a semi-circular wall on the north that was corresponding to the sphendone of the southern side.
The modern times restoration of the Stadium was conducted by G. Averof by the end of the 19th century for the first Olympic Games that were reborn again in 1896.
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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) Address: Vasileos Konstantinou AvenueDirections: It’s located at the east side of National Gardens below Ardetos and Agra Hills. 10’ walk from Hadrian’s Gate
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The Panathenaic Stadium was built by archon Lycurgus in 329 BC in a natural hollow between two hills, the Agra and Ardettos, on the site of an ancient stadium used for the athletic competitions of the Great Panathinaea Festivities. Built in marble, the Stadium is in designed in a horseshoe shape and is able to seat approximately 50,000 people. In the late 19th century, Evangelos Zappas excavated & refurbished the stadium for the Summer Gamesto to what is is today.
Visitors are not allowed to enter the stadium unless there is an event so you can take pictures from outside. Directions: In downtown Athens, east of the National Gardens and the Zappeion Exhibition Hall,
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...and so they did!
It´s fantastic seeing this stadium and feeling it´s spirit.... you can almost hear the roar and applause of the spectators, great! Address: Vasilis Olgas streetDirections: Best is to get of the Metro at Syntagma and then walk through the National Garden to the south east corner from where you cross Vasilis Olgas street to get closer.
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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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If you do choose to visit the Panathenaikon (or Panathenaic stadium) do not over-expect. However, for those who love history, or those who simply like sports (particularly Olympics), the site must be visited.
The stadium is where the Olympics used to be held in antiquity (starting from around 330 BC). A few centuries later (around 140 AD) it was restored, and one can only imagine the majesty of the 50,000 all-seater stadium. In Roman times, the Stadium was used as an arena, with the addition of a semi-circular wall on the north that was corresponding to the sphendone of the southern side.
The stadium also was the site of the first modern Olympics (in 1896), and played a role in the 2004 Olympic Games held in Athens, where the marathon finish as well as certain ceremonies were held.
I suggest visiting this site if you have some time on your hands: it definitely is worth it. My suggestion is that you first set out for a walk in the National Gardens, then upon exiting you visit the stadium, before continuing towards the Neo-Classical Trilogy.
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We saw a modern dance performance here. Sitting in the open air theater made it so easy to feel connected to the generations of people who have attended theater for the past 1500 years . Pretty profound! Leave a Comment
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- Sandra
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