|
The Site On the right of the entrance is the gymnasium dating from 2nd century BC and next to it is the palaestra, wrestling school, where contestants trained. The next building is the theokoleon, priests' house, and then comes the workshop where Pheidias sculpted the gigantic ivory and gold Statue of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The leonidaion was a very elaborate building which housed dignitaries, opposite on the other side of the path is the bouleuterion, where competitors swore to obey the rules decreed by the Olympic Senate.The Altis, or the Sanctuary of Zeus, is situated to the left of the path. Here is the Temple of Zeus, in the middle of which stood Pheidias' Statue of Zeus, later moved to Constantinople and destroyed by fire. Although the columns lie scattered on the ground it is one of the most impressive temples in Greece and the setting of the Sanctuary shaded by plane trees is idyllic. The stadium lies on the eastern end of the Sanctuary, the start and finish lines and judges seats are still there. The hippodrome, just south of the stadium, is where the chariot races were held. The pelopion was a small wooded hill with an altar to Pelops, behind the Pelops is the Temple of Hera built in the 6th century and to the east of that is the semi-circular building, the nymphaeum which was a fountain house supplying fresh spring water, a row of 12 treasuries were used as store-houses and at the bottom of stone steps from these buildings is the temple of Rea, the 5th century metroon. The circular philippeion with Ionic columns was built by Philip of Macedon to commemorate the defeat of an army of Athenians and Thebans. The prytaneum, the magistrate's residence, where winning athletes were entertained and feasted is situated inside the entrance on the left hand side. |
|||
|
|
|
|
