Katakolon, Greece (Olympia)

Our first stop in Greece was to Katakolon, where we visited the city of Olympia – site of the ancient Olympics and the temple of Zeus.  It was a beautiful day and an amazing place.

This was the training area for the athletes

The only structure there that was built for a mortal – the Philippeion

Ruins – don’t remember what they once were, but still pretty dang cool…

Temple of Hera (wife of Zeus).  You can see the columns on the very left and right of this picture.

From the front (or back?)

The remains of Hera’s altar (where, since 1936, the Olympic flame is lit every year – using a parabolic mirror and the SUN!)

Temple of Zeus.  This this would have been massive!!!  The column is a replica.

All around it were stones that had fallen from the temple.  They were HUGE.

The last “main” thing we saw was the Olympic stadium used in ancient times.  Here is the archway leading into the stadium…Jared & I - along with too many others :)

The stadium.  Pretty cool.  The only seats ever built (on the right) were for the judges.  The structure on the left was an altar for somebody.

Colleen posing as you leave the stadium (we snapped the picture so freaking fast because there were hardly any others around, so Colleen didn’t even know we were taking it yet!)