Stadium at Olympia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The stadium at the archaeological site of Olympia, Greece is located to the east of the sanctuary of Zeus. It was the location of many of the sporting events at the Ancient Olympic Games.
The stadium was originally located within the temenos, with spectators able to view races from the slopes of Mt. Kronos. It was gradually relocated east until it reached its present location in the early 5th century BCE. The stadium is connected with the sanctuary by a vaulted stone passageway.
The track is 212.54m long and 28.5m and surrounded by grassy banks on all sides. On the southern slope there was a stone platform, the exedra, on which the Hellanodikes, the judges, would sit. Opposite this, on the north slope, was an altar to Demeter Chamyne. The stadium could hold 45,000 spectators.
