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| Statue of Nike in front of the Stadium |
Monday, July 11 - Trip Day 12
We had a great tour by our Greek guide, Effie, of the excavations at the ancient Olympia site. The explanations, both by our guide, and by the site's signs made the setting really come to life. And a lovely German couple and their kids had rented an Oculus VR for the site, and let me take a look - I got to see a race in the stadium and the statue of Zeus in his temple - just amazing.
Now it was time to visit the on site museum, which displays all the precious artifacts that have been uncovered. There were many beautiful statues and friezes on display, in part because two rivers come together at this location, and the silt from the rivers covered the treasures so they weren't looted.
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| Museum at Olympia - an hour of pure pleasure for the senses |
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| Courtyard statue of Olympian |
There were dozens of small animals and other figures made from bronze - most from the workshop on site. They were used as offerings at the temples. We saw many helmets, spears and shields, often with beautiful artwork.
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| Figurines used for offering at the temples |
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| Bronze winged figure with marble eyes |
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| Shield decorations |
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| Rows of bronze helmets |
So impressive to see the statues of the two pediments from the temple of Zeus. They date from around 450 BC. On the west pediment is a fight between centaurs and the Lapith, with the centaurs trying to molest the Lapith women. Apollo is in the center, assisting the Lapiths in their conflict.
On the east pediment, a chariot race, with the hero, Pelops, planning to kill the king in order to win the hand of his daughter in marriage. Also in this display, are the 12 labors of Hercules, shown in squares in relief.
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| Statues from the West Pediment, Temple of Zeus, with Apollo in the center |
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| Incredibly realistic sculptural detail from the west pediment |
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| The winged statue of Nike - from atop the highest pedestal in front of the stadium |
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| Hermes of Praxiteles - holding the infant Dionysus |
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| These beautiful lions were the drainage spouts for the Temple of Zeus - a number have survived |
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