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Olympia Hotels - Accommodation
- Rooms - B &B
OLYMPIA -World Heritage Site
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In
the heart of the summer, during August, when the
silver light of the moon spreads over the archaeological
site of Olympia and shines brightly upon the ancient
monuments, the romantic night visitor of the divine
valley may have the seductive sense that he experiences
a miracle. The unavoidable use of imagination reconstructs,
in the dim light, and puts back into their place
the buildings of the Sacred Alti; the Gymnasium,
the Palaestra (Arena), The Parliament, the Temples
of Hera and Zeus. |
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The overcrowded
Stadium of the Olympic Games that is shaken by the
cheers of the colourful crowd of thousands of spectators
, that applaud the winner of the race as he comes
first. And then, when everybody has retired to their
tents, on the banks of the Alfios and Kladeos
and the whole area echoes with the voices and the
cheers of the visitors, the Father of Gods and Humans
that strikes with thunder, Zeus, mellow and pleased
, stands in front of his marble throne, looking
with satisfaction at everything that has happened
and everything that is going on now. |
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Mankind, has
succeeded, through healthy competition and emulation,
in converting all disputes and rivalries , hatred
and passion, into an unparallel Struggle for Peace
and Reconciliation, with an olive branch as reward.
The powers of light and hope defeat darkness and
devastation, lead by the dearest of all Gods, Apollo,
who, as in the pediment on the temple of Zeus, helps
the Lapithes defeat the Centaurs, strengthens logic
and spirit so as to surpass the irrational and uncontrollable
desire for domination. Link
to
www.toursingreece.gr/olympia.htm
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The Olympic Flame or Olympic
Torch is a symbol of the Olympic Games.
Commemorating
the theft of fire from the Greek god Zeus by Prometheus,
its origins lie in ancient Greece, when a fire was
kept burning throughout the celebration of the ancient
Olympics. The fire was reintroduced at the 1928
Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, and it has been part
of the modern Olympic Games ever since. The torch
relay of modern times which transports the flame
from Greece to the various designated sites of the
games had no ancient precedent and was introduced
by Carl Diem, with the support of Joseph Goebbels,
at the controversial Berlin Olympics. |
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The Olympic Torch
today is ignited several months before the opening
celebration of the Olympic Games at the site of
the ancient Olympics in Olympia, Greece. Eleven
women, representing the roles of priestesses, perform
a ceremony in which the torch is kindled by the
light of the Sun, its rays concentrated by a parabolic
mirror. The Olympic Torch Relay ends on the day
of the opening ceremony in the central stadium of
the Games. The final carrier is often kept secret
until the last moment, and is usually a sports celebrity
of the host country. |
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The final bearer
of the torch runs towards the cauldron, often placed
at the top of a grand staircase, and then uses the
torch to start the flame in the stadium. It is considered
a great honor to be asked to light the Olympic Flame.
After being lit, the flame continues to burn throughout
the Olympics, and is extinguished on the day of
the closing ceremony.
View photos from Archaeological
site and Museum
1, 2,
3, 4,
5,
6, 7
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