Panathenaic Stadium

The Panathenaic Stadium, known in Greek as Kallimarmaro ("beautiful marble"), stands in the Pangrati area of central Athens, between the National Garden and Ardittos Hill. It is the only large stadium in the world built entirely of white Pentelic marble. The site was first laid out in the fourth century BC for the Panathenaic Games, and the Roman benefactor Herodes Atticus rebuilt it in marble around 144 AD. After centuries of neglect, it was excavated and restored for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, and it has been a symbol of the Olympic movement ever since. The horseshoe-shaped track is about 204 metres long, with tiered marble seating that holds roughly 45,000 spectators, and the stadium still serves as the finish line of the annual Athens Classic Marathon. Visitors enter through a ticket office at the northern side and receive an audio guide in several languages that explains the history of the games, the 1896 Olympics and the restoration. Walking the track, sitting in the upper tiers and standing on the Olympic podium are the main activities. A tunnel beneath the seating houses a small museum with Olympic torches from every Games since 1936, medals, posters and memorabilia. Photographers favour the view from the top rim of the seating back across the track, the curved end with the Herms sculptures, and the winners' podium shot. A visit typically lasts one to two hours. The stadium opens early, so first entry is the best time to avoid cruise ship groups and tour coaches, which arrive from about 10:00. The marble can be bright and hot in midsummer, so a hat and water are advisable, and late afternoon gives softer light. Closing hours vary by season and the stadium may be closed on certain public holidays or for events. A short walk from Syntagma Square or the Zappeion, it fits naturally between a morning in the National Garden and an afternoon at the Acropolis Museum.