Tag Archives: Athens

Wednesday Wander Revisited – Panathenaic Olympic Stadium, Greece

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I originally posted this Wander almost exactly four years ago, when the Olympics were in full swing in Rio, the world celebrating together as it usually does. However, although the 2020 Olympics were scheduled to take place this month, things are much different. The Tokyo Olympics have been postponed until next year, but even that hasn’t been confirmed, as we live in such uncertain times. It’s such a shame, and I really feel for the athletes who have been working towards this for so long. I’m not much of a watcher of sport, but there is something about the Olympic Games that captures my imagination, and I find myself caught up in the atmosphere and excitement of it all. Therefore, as we have no Olympics to celebrate this year, I thought I might revisit a Wander that takes us to where the modern Olympics began…

Olympic Stadium 2I thought it might be fun this week to wander to Greece, where the Olympics began. Now, this is obviously not a stadium built for the 2004 Athens Olympics – rather, this is the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896.

The stadium, interestingly, was built on the site of an actual ancient Greek stadium, thought to have been constructed in around 330BC, for use at the Panathenaic Games (hence the name). This was a religious and athletic festival held every four years in honour of the goddess Athena, the patron goddess of Athens. The stadium was used for several centuries before being abandoned, then rediscovered and excavated in 1869, before being refurbished for the modern Olympic Games.

Olympic Stadium 1

Here are some of my travelling companions, attempting to start a race… or something.

When the Games returned to Greece in 2004, the old stadium once again came to life, hosting several events. It’s also the place where the Olympic Flame is handed over to the host country, so holds a very special place in Olympic history. As Rio draws to a close, it’s nice to wander back to where it all began in the modern era – thanks for coming along with me.

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Thursday Doors – St Pancras New Church, London

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IMG_1280This is a side door to the St Pancras New Church, London. The banner in front is an art installation there at the time I took the photo, but I don’t think it detracts from the rather splendid red doors.

IMG_1277The church itself was built in 1819 in the Greek Revival style, and was called the St Pancras New Church to distinguish it from the St Pancras Old Church, which is not too far away.

IMG_1278One of the reasons I chose this door this week is because of the caryatid detail above it, taken from the Erectheum in Athens. It ties in with my Greek stadium post from yesterday, in honour of the ongoing Olympic Games. The architect, Henry Inwood, was in Athens at the time the plans for the church were accepted, and brought back plaster casts of the original statues for reference.

ErectheumAnd here, just for our own reference, is the Erectheum in Athens, part of the temple complex on the Acropolis. I took this photo when I was there quite a few years ago, and I’m sure it will feature in a Wednesday Wander at some point soon.

This is my entry for this week’s Thursday Doors Challenge, courtesy of Norm 2.0. For more doors, or to add one of your own, simply visit Norm’s blog and click the link.

Wednesday Wander – Panathenaic Olympic Stadium, Greece

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Olympic Stadium 2With the Olympics on and Team GB doing so well (yay!), I thought it might be fun this week to wander to Greece, where it all began. Now, this is obviously not a stadium built for the 2004 Athens Olympics – rather, this is the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896.

The stadium, interestingly, was built on the site of an actual ancient Greek stadium, thought to have been constructed in around 330BC, for use at the Panathenaic Games (hence the name). This was a religious and athletic festival held every four years in honour of the goddess Athena, the patron goddess of Athens. The stadium was used for several centuries before being abandoned, then rediscovered and excavated in 1869, before being refurbished for the modern Olympic Games.

Olympic Stadium 1

Here are some of my travelling companions, attempting to start a race… or something.

When the Games returned to Greece in 2004, the old stadium once again came to life, hosting several events. It’s also the place where the Olympic Flame is handed over to the host country, so holds a very special place in Olympic history. As Rio draws to a close, it’s nice to wander back to where it all began in the modern era – thanks for coming along with me.

This is my weekly Wednesday Wander, where I explore places I’ve been and things that I’ve seen – see you next week!