The cold sheen of white marble, the breathtaking height of 50 rows of seats, the wide arena and the history that goes back centuries - this is how every visitor to Athens sees the majestic Kalimarmaro Stadium.
There is no one in the world who loves the Olympic Games as much as a Greek. After all, it was on Hellenic soil that this glorious tradition was born: to hold competitions that brought together men as strong as tigers and as fast as deer! For the duration of the Olympic Games battles and protracted wars ceased. Even sworn enemies would forget the grievances they had inflicted upon one another and gather together in the Athenian stadium of Kalimarmaro. It was not by chance that Kalimarmaro got its name: in Greek, the word means "beautiful marble", which is absolutely true. It is the only stadium in the world built entirely of cold white marble.
It is the stadium Kalimarmaro in ancient times served as a place where the Panathenaic games were held, dedicated to the patroness of the city - the wise Athena. According to the legend, the goddess had a special part in the fate of the winners of these competitions, and therefore in Athens and the whole of the great Hellas they were surrounded by honor and glory. The Greeks were never tired of improving the Panathenaic stadium: the Roman archonte Lycurgus, and then the Greek philanthropist Herod Atticus, had their hand in improving Kalimarmaro. The stadium was gradually enlarged and, by the transition to our era, it could seat up to 60,000 spectators on its benches.
But the centuries raced on and on into the millennia - and like the other artefacts of ancient Athens, the Panathenaic Stadium was virtually destroyed to the ground. However, thanks to the efforts of Greek patriots and merchants Evangelios Zappas and Georgios Averoff Kalimarmaro, it was rebuilt and expanded, giving impetus to the idea of reviving the Olympic Games. And in a glorious tradition, it was here, in the Panathenaic Stadium, that the first Olympic Games of modern times were held. This momentous event happened in 1896, and since then Kalimarmaro has witnessed more than once the great competitions of the 20th and 21st centuries.
It was the site of the 1997 athletics championships and several stages of the 2004 Olympics. Here, surrounded by 50 marble spectator rows, the people welcomed the Greek national team that returned in 2004 with victory in the World Cup. It is also where the annual marathon race is held, in which every runner can take part. Kalimarmaro Stadium is endlessly beloved by Greeks, as it has almost become synonymous with Hellenic greatness. Even after becoming a historical site, the stadium is not dead to the Athenians: to this day, concerts, competitions and ceremonies are held in the huge Kalimarmaro arena.
Visitors to Athens are not so much struck by the impressive history of this sports facility as by its exterior design. Located in an unusually picturesque location, the Kalimarmaro Stadium opens up a mesmerizing view of the Acropolis from its white stone benches. However, travelers don't just enjoy the views. Some go straight to the "royal" chairs cast in marble from Mount Pentelicon, others prefer to be photographed on the pedestal, others prefer to have a duel in the arena. The electrified air, the fighting spirit and the taste of victory in the stadium - a great experience in Calimarmaro is guaranteed!
