Cheater's row
On your mark, get set, GO!
The Altar where the torches are lit.
Alexander's family creation
Bronze kettlesMonday, August 19, 2013
Olympia photos1
A little about Phillip II and Alexander
You know who
This is where they got ready and then competed in the middle
The artist's house
Olympia
I may try something new with this post. I may add photos later and in smaller batches. I am having trouble uploading.
Anyway The ruins of Olympia were a short walk from our hotel. We started in the Olympic Museum where you could see models of what the area looked like throughout the years. It also talked a little about the sporting events and the athletes. The kids, of course, got a kick out of the fact that the athletes competed naked and that women weren't allowed to compete or view the games. Only one woman was pardoned for watching her son because she came from such a distinguished line of athletes. Any other woman was banished.
They also had a code of no fighting during the time before, during, and after the games.
Walking through the ruins was spectacular. You could see where the athletes got ready, the Temple of Zeus, where the artists shop was that created a large statue of Zeus that is no longer standing but they found several of the molds used to create the folds of his robes.
We entered the stadium where you could start at the actual starting line and run about 200m in the heat. You passed by the stands where the stautes of the cheaters were displayed. They did not take kindly quitters, cheaters, or blood dopers. There were special urine tasters that could tell if you had used animal blood to give you an edge. (an interesting fact for you)
You also saw the Altar of Athena where the Olympic torches are originally lit before they make their trek around the world.
And right beyond was the Circle of Philippeion was started by Alexander the Great's father, Phillip II, and completed by Alexander himself. It housed statues of their family members and no less than six statues of Alexander.
The Archaelogical museum held amazing artifacts including the bronze pots and ancient discs and jumping weights. If you won a championship you could ask if you could get a statute made of yourself as a prize.
There were also pieces of glass from the artists house and a cup with his name on the bottom.
Anyway The ruins of Olympia were a short walk from our hotel. We started in the Olympic Museum where you could see models of what the area looked like throughout the years. It also talked a little about the sporting events and the athletes. The kids, of course, got a kick out of the fact that the athletes competed naked and that women weren't allowed to compete or view the games. Only one woman was pardoned for watching her son because she came from such a distinguished line of athletes. Any other woman was banished.
They also had a code of no fighting during the time before, during, and after the games.
Walking through the ruins was spectacular. You could see where the athletes got ready, the Temple of Zeus, where the artists shop was that created a large statue of Zeus that is no longer standing but they found several of the molds used to create the folds of his robes.
We entered the stadium where you could start at the actual starting line and run about 200m in the heat. You passed by the stands where the stautes of the cheaters were displayed. They did not take kindly quitters, cheaters, or blood dopers. There were special urine tasters that could tell if you had used animal blood to give you an edge. (an interesting fact for you)
You also saw the Altar of Athena where the Olympic torches are originally lit before they make their trek around the world.
And right beyond was the Circle of Philippeion was started by Alexander the Great's father, Phillip II, and completed by Alexander himself. It housed statues of their family members and no less than six statues of Alexander.
The Archaelogical museum held amazing artifacts including the bronze pots and ancient discs and jumping weights. If you won a championship you could ask if you could get a statute made of yourself as a prize.
There were also pieces of glass from the artists house and a cup with his name on the bottom.
Saturday, August 17, 2013
This is SPARTA! (and Mystras)
Sparta was quite the town in its heyday. Then it fell and was basically desecrated. Almost everything was removed from the ancient town except a few stones. Alexander the Great didn't really feel the need to invade or conquer Sparta. He was the guy who let you do your own thing as long as you were loyal to him. Sparta was already floundering by the time he came around and he decided it just wasn't worth it. But how can you be so close and not stop by? We took a few photos at what's left of the ancient city. Modern day Sparta is quite bustling. Of course, right outside the ruins is a large statue of a Spartan warrior, so we got some pics with that.
Six kilometers away is the town of Mystras. Another ancient city/fortress built high on a hill. It again was such an experience stepping back in time and picturing the city life of long ago. Religion was extremely important. In just this small area there were at least four churches/monasteries. You could still see the ornate paintings on the wall.
Mystras
Another amazing thing was in the museum. They actually had a preserved hair braid and scraps of silk and bits of a shoe heel. In this museum was also a stone carving of A the G ascension.
The views were amazing and you had two entries into the site. You walked through most of the fortress through the lower entrance, then drove up to the top entrance to finish it out. The palace was being restored so we couldnt go inside but still it was quite the site. At the very top it was a straight down to your death drop. Very nerve wracking.
Just an idea of the drop down. He's inside a little walled area as I'm still freaking out watching him.
Walls inside one of the churches.
This really is Sparta.
Six kilometers away is the town of Mystras. Another ancient city/fortress built high on a hill. It again was such an experience stepping back in time and picturing the city life of long ago. Religion was extremely important. In just this small area there were at least four churches/monasteries. You could still see the ornate paintings on the wall.
MystrasAnother amazing thing was in the museum. They actually had a preserved hair braid and scraps of silk and bits of a shoe heel. In this museum was also a stone carving of A the G ascension.
The views were amazing and you had two entries into the site. You walked through most of the fortress through the lower entrance, then drove up to the top entrance to finish it out. The palace was being restored so we couldnt go inside but still it was quite the site. At the very top it was a straight down to your death drop. Very nerve wracking.
Just an idea of the drop down. He's inside a little walled area as I'm still freaking out watching him. Walls inside one of the churches.Thursday, August 15, 2013
Nafplio
This is one of the most beautiful spots I've seen. It is a charming harbor town that just comes alive at night. There is a fortress ruin on the hill overlooking the city and a large wall that continues around one side. We had a view of the fortress from our room and walked down to the city center once we arrived in town, about a fifteen minute walk. We were afraid we wouldn't find anything to eat at ten o'clock. What a laugh! The town square consists of blocks of shops and restaurants a crowds of people. We stopped at the gelato shop and asked how late they'd be open, hoping to get some after dinner...they closed at 3 a.m.! It was delicious, by the way.
The fortress on the hill.
The next morning we decided to walk, rather than drive to the fortress. The only way up is to climb hundreds of stairs the meander their way up the side of the hill. We decided to try to count the stairs. We got to 912 before just entering the site. Inside was a labyrinth of walls, rooms and passageways to explore. Every where you turned was another place. You thought you were done, and then there would be another secret room. What's so cool is you can go in and check them out. There aren't ropes keeping you out, although on some spots, you wish there was something there to keep you from going over the edge!
Going back down.
The view of the city was amazing. You could see the sea below and one of the beaches in town, where we decided to go cool off after our adventure. The beach was rocky, which hurt, but the water was so refreshing and so salty that you could float with very little effort-something I can't do at home!
By the way, did you know there are many, many stray dogs and cats throughout Greece? We made a friend with one dog and he found us again the next night. The kids want to take each dog home. I think it's because we all miss our dog, Ringo. These dogs and cats seem very well cared for. People put out water and food for them, and they seem to know where to go and what to do.
The fortress on the hill.The next morning we decided to walk, rather than drive to the fortress. The only way up is to climb hundreds of stairs the meander their way up the side of the hill. We decided to try to count the stairs. We got to 912 before just entering the site. Inside was a labyrinth of walls, rooms and passageways to explore. Every where you turned was another place. You thought you were done, and then there would be another secret room. What's so cool is you can go in and check them out. There aren't ropes keeping you out, although on some spots, you wish there was something there to keep you from going over the edge!
Only PART of the steps.
Inside the fortress.
A little room.
The view of the beach below.
Going back down.Epidavros
I couldn't go to Greece and not see the oldest theater there. It was not easy to find but it should've been. There are several small towns with the same name close by and the GPS took us to a different small theater that was not what we were looking for. We asked directions and found we didn't see the right sign...the road was supposed to take us right into the parking lot.
This is the right spot!
It was a huge amphitheater and you could imagine performances happening there. The special Greek theater festival was taking place and there was a performance happening that night. After deliberating, we decided not to buy tickets. The show didn't start until 9, and it was only five; also two hours of a Greek tragedy, in Greek, was just a little too much to take in. If it had been a play that I knew and had a general idea about what was happening, then maybe we would've gone.
Outside the theater were more ruins of what was an ancient hospital. It's amazing...you can't go too far without seeing a brown sign that tells you what ancient ruin you are going by.
(for Luke)
This is the right spot!It was a huge amphitheater and you could imagine performances happening there. The special Greek theater festival was taking place and there was a performance happening that night. After deliberating, we decided not to buy tickets. The show didn't start until 9, and it was only five; also two hours of a Greek tragedy, in Greek, was just a little too much to take in. If it had been a play that I knew and had a general idea about what was happening, then maybe we would've gone.
My performers
Outside the theater were more ruins of what was an ancient hospital. It's amazing...you can't go too far without seeing a brown sign that tells you what ancient ruin you are going by.
(for Luke)Mycenae
The town of Mycenae itself is not much. It's a string of touristy tavernas and souvenir shops. But once you get to the fortress, it's pretty amazing. It was settled around 2000 B.C. And to think that these walls have survived that long is truly amazing. You enter under the Lions Gate and see the grave circle, which is where all the treasures we saw at the Archaelogical Museum were found. According to mythology, Mycenae was founded by Perseus. This is also were the whole Helen of Troy saga started, with families warring over who should be king.
The Lions Gate
One of the neatest places to explore was the cistern, a deep, dark cave that I'm not sure what it housed. You could just keep going down and there was no light and it was pretty cool.
Overlook
The cistern entrance
Just outside the fortress was the treasury, an ancient tomb. It's built like a large orb and the front stone is the largest in the world.
This is basically hidden from the outside, except for the entrance.
The Lions GateOne of the neatest places to explore was the cistern, a deep, dark cave that I'm not sure what it housed. You could just keep going down and there was no light and it was pretty cool.
Overlook The cistern entranceJust outside the fortress was the treasury, an ancient tomb. It's built like a large orb and the front stone is the largest in the world.
This is basically hidden from the outside, except for the entrance.
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