Panathenaic stadium

Panathenaic Stadium, also known as Kallimarmaron, has a 60,000 seating capacity and is made exclusively from marble.

As early as 1838, discussions had started in Greece about a revival of the games but in 1856 the ministry of foreign affairs argued that a country’s reputation depended on its industry, arts, and agriculture and not on sports.
As early as 1838, discussions had started in Greece about a revival of the games but in 1856 the ministry of foreign affairs argued that a country’s reputation depended on its industry, arts, and agriculture and not on sports.
The stadium has hosted welcoming ceremonies for Greek athletes returning from the Olympic Games and for the national football team when it won the Εuro 2004 championship. Since then, major concerts as well as smaller cultural and sports events have taken place in the stadium.
The stadium has hosted welcoming ceremonies for Greek athletes returning from the Olympic Games and for the national football team when it won the Εuro 2004 championship. Since then, major concerts as well as smaller cultural and sports events have taken place in the stadium.
Prior to the revival of the Olympic Games, the Greek Games were held in 1863, 1870, 1875, 1889, 1891 and 1893. Nevertheless, classic athletics continued being snubbed in favour of technological achievements.
Prior to the revival of the Olympic Games, the Greek Games were held in 1863, 1870, 1875, 1889, 1891 and 1893. Nevertheless, classic athletics continued being snubbed in favour of technological achievements.
Coubertin faced the rejection of consecutive Greek governments and the king, due to the country’s bad financial situation after 1893, when Greece declared its bankruptcy. Eventually, Coubertin managed to convince them, by arguing that athletics were an antidote to the inhuman aspect of industrialized life.
Coubertin faced the rejection of consecutive Greek governments and the king, due to the country’s bad financial situation after 1893, when Greece declared its bankruptcy. Eventually, Coubertin managed to convince them, by arguing that athletics were an antidote to the inhuman aspect of industrialized life.
For the 1896 Olympic Games, marble seats were placed only in the first four rows, while wooden seats were painted in white for colour consistency. The games took place in this stadium and the Olympic Hymn was performed here for the first time.
For the 1896 Olympic Games, marble seats were placed only in the first four rows, while wooden seats were painted in white for colour consistency. The games took place in this stadium and the Olympic Hymn was performed here for the first time.
In the summer of 1997, the opening ceremony of the World Championships in Athletics was hosted in the stadium. During the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, the stadium was used for archery events and the men’s marathon. In 2011, the stadium hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the Special Olympics.
In the summer of 1997, the opening ceremony of the World Championships in Athletics was hosted in the stadium. During the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, the stadium was used for archery events and the men’s marathon. In 2011, the stadium hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the Special Olympics.
Part of the stadium’s horseshoe shape.
Part of the stadium’s horseshoe shape.
View of the Acropolis.
View of the Acropolis.
View of Lycabettus Hill.
View of Lycabettus Hill.
The Panathenaic Stadium is the only site in the world besides ancient Olympia, which can keep the Olympic Flag constantly raised.
The Panathenaic Stadium is the only site in the world besides ancient Olympia, which can keep the Olympic Flag constantly raised.
Every year, the Panathenaic Stadium is the terminal point of the classic marathon, which starts from Marathon and finishes here, exactly as it did in the 1896 Olympic Games, when the Greek athlete Spiros Louis won the race.
Every year, the Panathenaic Stadium is the terminal point of the classic marathon, which starts from Marathon and finishes here, exactly as it did in the 1896 Olympic Games, when the Greek athlete Spiros Louis won the race.
On the north side of the stadium’s horseshoe shape there is a stoa which was used as the athletes’ entrance into the stadium. Today, it leads to the Olympics gallery and the track-and-field sports museum.
On the north side of the stadium’s horseshoe shape there is a stoa which was used as the athletes’ entrance into the stadium. Today, it leads to the Olympics gallery and the track-and-field sports museum.

Location

Timeline

Modern and Contemporary era (1821 - )

1868 Ernst Ziller bought the area and made excavations. Then, he sold the land to King George Ι who then gave away the stadium to the Olympic Committee.

1894 It was decided to put new marbles in the stadium in view of the first modern Olympic Games held in 1896; the marble-placement procedure was initially implemented in part. The supervision was by Anastasis Metaxas and the sponsorship of Georgios Averof.

1906 Marble-placement procedure finally completed.

1959 A proposal was made for reconstruction and expansion, so that it could be turned into an Olympic stadium. Because this proposal would have destroyed the monument and the hill, it provoked strong negative reactions and was not implemented.

Ottoman era (1453- 1821)

During the Christian years, and especially during the Ottoman period, there were widespread prejudices regarding the area, including the rumor of witches living in the area.

Byzantine era (331 AC- 1453)
Roman era (30 BC- 330 AC)

It was extended and turned to stone by Herodes Atticus (2nd cent. AD). Used for gladiator and beast battles.

Hellenistic era (322- 31 BC)
Classical era (478-323 BC)

It was constructed in the 4th century B.C. by Lykurgus. Here, the Gymniki Games (Naked Games-track and field games) were held in the context of the Great Panathenaia.

Archaic era (800-479 BC)
Geometric era (-1100- 800 BC)
Prehistory (-1100 BC)

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