Olympia
Among shady pine, olive and oak trees, in a valley between Mount
Kronos and the Alfios River on the Peloponnese Peninsula, lies one
of the most famous historical and archaeological sites in Greece.
Olympia includes the remains of two ancient temples and the stadium
where the first Olympic Games took place in 776 BC. Since the
modern Olympics were inaugurated in 1896 torchbearers have set out
from Olympia to carry the Olympic flame in relays across the world
to wherever the games are held every four years. The site also
boasts one of the finest archaeological museums in Greece. The
ruins themselves are fascinating, being the remnants of an ancient
Olympic village including a gymnasium, baths, the Prytaneion -
where winners were honoured - and a Doric Temple dedicated to Hera.
In the nearby modern village of Olympia there is another museum
that is often sadly overlooked: the Museum of the Olympic Games
contains some interesting memorabilia from games past and gives
those interested in the event a fantastic overview of its history
and significance.
Olympia
pufacz
Ancient Corinth
Ancient Corinth is rests around the base of Acrocorinth.
Originally a Greek acropolis, this lofty fortress hill has been a
Roman citadel, a Byzantine castle and more over the course of its
history.
Most of the city's surviving buildings are Roman, though. Caesar
built them after his armies sacked much of the original settlement.
Since then, recurring earthquakes have toppled large parts of
ancient Corinth. Still, enough of it remains to fire up the
imagination. The 6th-century BC Temple of Apollo is particularly
beautiful. It sits on a hill overlooking the marketplace's
remains.
Visitors will find an archaeological museum in the site's
southwest corner. It contains some worthwhile collections of mosaic
floors, pottery and works of art.
Ancient Corinth
Alun Salt
Mycenae
This ancient site, 31 miles (50km) south of Corinth, bears the
remains of the ancient palace and citadel of Mycenae, a place of
archaeological controversy but fascinating for the lay visitor.
Homer's fabulous story has it that the kingdom of Mycenae was
dripping in gold and revelling in riches before King Agamemnon
decided to lead an assault on Troy, back in about 1,250 BC. The
king started a war that lasted a decade, battling to win the
impossibly beautiful Helen of Troy back from Prince Paris. German
archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann discovered Mycenae, which he
believed gave credence to Homer's tale, in 1874 after he had
excavated the remains of Troy itself. There is no doubt that
Mycenae was a city of power and prosperity and the ruins, from the
Lion Gate (oldest example of monumental sculpture in Europe) to the
palace complex, houses and beehive tomb of Agamemnon, are well
worth exploring. Most of the more exceptional finds from the site
are on exhibit in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.
These include frescoes, gold jewellery, and the gold mask said to
have belonged to Agamemnon, among other priceless pieces.
Mycenae
Andreas Trepte
Epidaurus
A definite must on a tour of the Peloponnese is the famed
ancient theatre of Epidaurus, built in the 3rd century BC and so
well preserved that with little or no restoration it is still in
use today for regular summer dramatic performances, which are lent
a mystical aura by the beautiful and ancient setting. The theatre
has perfect acoustics, allowing even a whisper on stage to be heard
in the back row of the limestone amphitheatre, which can seat
14,000. North of the theatre are the ruins of the healing Sanctuary
of Asklepios, which has a museum explaining how the original temple
complex would have looked and functioned. This was once the most
famous healing centre of the Greek and Roman world, and some argue
that it is the birthplace of modern medicine. It is very
interesting to learn about the evolution of medical treatment in
this place and to explore the ruins and remains of the sanctuary,
which once spawned 200 dependent spas throughout the Mediterranean.
Where the ancient town of Epidaurus once stood there is now the
modern day village of Palia Epidaurus. This is a popular seaside
resort with scenic beaches, a small harbour and several
tavernas.
Address:
Archaeological Museum of Epidaurus, Asklepieion.
Epidaurus
Sharon Mollerus
Sparta
Made popular again by the 2006 film 300, the ancient city of
Sparta sits in the middle of the Plains of Laconia in the
Peloponnese, which is one of the most historic regions in the
world. Sparta emerged as a political entity around the 10th century
BC and by 650 BC was rising to be a dominant military power in
ancient Greece. It was recognised as the leader of the Greek forces
in the Greco-Persian Wars, from which Greece eventually emerged
victorious but at great cost to Sparta, and many other city-states.
By 146 BC Sparta had lost its independence to Roman conquest. The
Spartans were fiercely militaristic and their whole way of life was
centred around military training and prowess. The Spartans were a
legendary military force, and are still referenced in military
strategy. At the archaeological site visitors can view the
excavations and ruins and visit the tomb of King Leonidas, the
sanctuary of Artemis Orthia, and the Sparta Archaeological Museum
in town, as well as view a number of ruins and ancient churches in
nearby Mystras. The famous battlefield of Thermopylae can also
still be visited and there are several monuments there to the
Spartan force that was wiped out after extreme feats of prowess and
bravery, including a monument to King Leonidas.
Ancient Spartan Theatre
Nikolaos Koumaris
The Peloponnese Peninsula has a typical Mediterranean climate,
with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Rain falls mostly
between October and March.
Summer temperatures idle around 86°F (30°C) but can reach as
high as 104°F (40°C) during the frequent heat waves. Indeed, the
heat can be oppressive and uncomfortable, particularly for those
unaccustomed to a Mediterranean climate. Temperatures are much
lower in the higher regions to the north.
Spring and autumn are the best times to visit the Peloponnese
Peninsula. Visitors will find plenty of sun without the sweltering
heat of summer, or the inconvenient rains of winter. The western
Peloponnese have less severe winters but also get the most
rainfall. The east is more dry and arid.
Buses and trains link Athens with all of the peninsula's main
towns. Public buses run regularly between towns and major
sites.
Taxis are easy to hire in the towns or between sites, though
passengers may have to share.
Ancient Greece has captured the world's imagination with its
myths, heroes and legendary battles. Today, this captivating
culture comes alive in the Peloponnese's ruins and archaeological
sites.
Visitors can wander through the remains of famous ancient
cities, like militaristic Sparta, or Mycenae, thought to have led
the attack on Troy. The peninsula's attractions also include
Olympia, where the Olympic torch is still lit for every Games, and
Ancient Corinth, which Caesar rebuilt after his armies sacked
it.
Otherwise, the region has many gorgeous beaches.