This week's Photo Hunt theme is "sports". We have been in Athens this week so there have been many opportunities for a picture that I could use for this week's theme. In the end I went with this picture that I took of the Panathenic Stadium as seen from the top of the Lykavittos Hill . This picture really provides a sense of how large this stadium is.
The stadium was originally a natural hollow part of the ground between the two hills of Agra and Ardettos, over Ilissos river. It was transformed into a stadium by Lykourgos in 330-329 BC for the athletic competitions of the Great Panathinaea Festivities. It is believed that the Stadium had a seating capacity of 50,000 people.
In the Roman times, the stadium was used as an arena.
A modern restoration of the stadium at the end of the 19th century allowed it to be used for the first Olympic Games when they were reborn again in 1896. The stadium was used again as the site of the finish line of the marathon in the 2004 Olympics.
Lots of the slow travel community members also photo hunt when they aren't traveling. You can find their posts by clicking the links below.
- Old Shoes, New Trip
- Eden's Wanderings and Wonderings
- My Place in the Sun
- Churches in Venice – Mosaics, Marble, and Miracle-Working Madonnas
- Palmabella's Passions
- What I Really Think
- shave Ice and Gelato
- Jerry's Thoughts, Musings, and Rants!
- Keep your Feet in the Street
- Baked Alaska
- That's my story...and I'm stickin' to it!
- Postcards from the Trail
- Cooking at the Whistlestop Cafe
- Candi's Corner
- Trekcapri's Blog
- Destination Anywhere
Interesting pic for the theme Jerry.
Posted by: travelingsuep | October 10, 2009 at 04:26 AM
Wow, seems like white is the favored color for structures in Athens! :O
Posted by: YTSL | October 10, 2009 at 05:25 AM
Amazing photo!!!
My sports blog is posted...come on over if you can find time...
It's HERE for your viewing pleasure
Posted by: Hootin' Anni | October 10, 2009 at 07:18 AM
It fits so snugly into the surroundings! These ancient arenas are amazingly large. Even the Roman theatre in Orange surprised me.
Posted by: A. @ A Changing Life | October 10, 2009 at 09:25 AM
Great shot, Jerry! I love it!
Posted by: Candi | October 10, 2009 at 11:26 AM
that was a very interesting picture and post. If you want to wander down my road I’m home.
Posted by: kaye | October 10, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Lucky you, Jerry! You're in the middle of the birthplace of modern sport. Very appropriate timing for PhotoHunt, huh?
Posted by: Deborah | October 10, 2009 at 12:48 PM
I was hoping I'd see a sports photo from Greece. Thanks for not disappointing.
Posted by: Cindy Ruth | October 10, 2009 at 03:45 PM
Lovely photo -- an unusual contribution to the theme.
Posted by: Lisa | October 10, 2009 at 04:42 PM
At first I was wondering what sports you were watching in Athens until you mentioned the ancient stadiums. Perfect for this weeks theme. Nice tie in with your vacation also. It sounds like it is going really well. I've been enjoying your posts on sightseeing in Athens and your apartment.
Posted by: marta | October 11, 2009 at 02:07 PM
What a huge stadium!
This is my first time joining photo hunt,hope you can take a peek on my Athlete Spirit entry
Posted by: chubskulit | October 11, 2009 at 11:52 PM
It's amazing how built up it is all around the stadium. Interesting view.
Posted by: girasoli | October 12, 2009 at 04:13 AM
It is funny the perspective that one gets form up above . . . you really get a sense of how it is built into the hills. That isn't as apparent from the ground.
Thanks for visiting on photo hunt Saturday.
Posted by: JDeQ | October 23, 2009 at 08:40 AM