Ancient history and meditation hand in hand: the Panathenaic Stadium and the Arditos Hill

I often exercise myself in one of the most historical locations in Athens, the Ardittos hill and the Panathenaic Stadium (or else the Kallimarmaron Stadium), which stand side by side.

The Panathenaic Stadium was originally constructed in c.330 BC by Lykourgos, an Athenian prominent personality, to host the Panathenaic Games attributed to Goddess Athena. At those times it was mainly made of soil, with the exception of some wooden seats made for the distinguished Athenians. In the centuries that followed and post its acme during the Roman times, the Stadium was decayed.

It was only until the latest centuries, and more specifically towards the end of the 19th century, that the Stadium was fully renovated using the finest marbles; its architecture is forming a U-shape. In 1896, it hosted the ceremonies of the new Olympic Games. Nowadays, it is being used for various venues, such as the 2004 Athenian Olympic Games Ceremonies, as well as various athletic events and concerts. It can host up to 60,000 people seated.

Olympic champions' names:

Event that took place early summer:

As you take a look at the stadium from the main entrance in King Constantinos Avenue, you will observe an Arch at the far left side of the ∩. That is the entrance of an old, unknown to most of the people, tunnel, leading to the back alley, which was used by the athletes to enter the Stadium in the ancient times and which, despite the various reconstructions, has been preserved until today.

My exercising incorporates a training track which surrounds the last row of the seats; I think is about 1.5klm:

As you take a look at the right side of the Stadium, you will see a green hill, named Ardittos. At the fringes of this hill, the ancient Greek judges used to swear their oaths to the Gods Zeus, Apollo and Demeter. In the bowels of this hill there seems to exist some shelters used to hide antiquities during the WWII, ammunition, while later were used as shelters for the Kings of Greece.

Now this hill is a very nice option for people to walk, exercise and meditate. Some of its alleys have a magnificent view to The Akropolis, The Lycabettus hill, the Pnika, the Temple of the Olympian Zeus.

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