Thematic Routes  |  Submitted by admin on 09/10/2022  |  Print

“The Road to Glory: Following the traces of the majestic Sacred Way of the Olympic Games”

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Destinations of route
Stop 1

Elis: The cradle of the Olympic Games

In the heart of Ilia, at the point where the valley of the Pineios river transforms into a fertile plain, the archaeolog...
Archeological Site of Ancient Elis, P.C. 27200
2622041501 - Museum of Elis
Stop 2

Kalyvia

To the west of the ancient gymnasiums of Elis, is the village of Kalyvia.
Kalyvia of Ilida. P.C. 27300
Stop 3

Avgio

Avgio is a rural lowland settlement, neighboring Ancient Elis.
Avgio of Ilida, P.C. 27300
Stop 4

Chavari

Chavari is only 8 km from the town of Amaliada and is one of the most beautiful and modern villages in the region.
Chavari of Amaliada, P.C. 27200
Stop 5

Tatani House

The Tatani House is an architectural jewel for the city of Amaliada. It was built in the early 1900s, and was used as a ...
5 Samou Str. Amaliada, P.C. 27200
2622360502
Stop 6

Kardamas

Kardamas is a fairly large, plain village, which is found near Amaliada. It has about 700 inhabitants and its characteri...
Kardamas of Amaliada, P.C. 27200
Stop 7

Agios Ilias - Piera Pigi

In Agios Ilias, a village with approximately 350 inhabitants, we can find three settlements, Agios Ilias, Stamateleika a...
Agios Ilias of Amaliada, P.C. 27100
Stop 8

Roman Bath of Skafidia

On the beach of Skafidia, next to the mouth of the small river Iardanos, the remains of a large and luxurious public bat...
Skafidia of Pyrgos, P.C. 27150
Stop 9

Skourochori

Skourochori is one of the most famous villages of the municipality of Pyrgos.
Skourochori of Pyrgos, P.C. 27100
Stop 10

Archaeological Museum of Pyrgos

The Archaeological Museum of Pyrgos, one of the emblematic cultural places of the capital of Ilia and western Peloponnes...
10 Karaiskaki Str. Pyrgos, P.C. 27131
2621020475 - Archaeological Museum of Pyrgos
Stop 11

Alfiousa

Alfiousa is about 12 km from the Ilean capital, Pyrgos and owes its name to its proximity to the Alfios river.
Alfiousa of Pyrgos, P.C. 27131
Stop 12

Alfios River

It is one of the most important rivers of the Peloponnese. It is the largest river of the Peloponnese both in terms of l...
Alfios Lake, P.C. 27065
Stop 13

Alfios Dam

The dam of Alfios is crossed by the famous bridge of the same name, near the village of Floka.
Floka of Ancient Olympia, P.C. 27065
Stop 14

Olympia City

Built on the banks of the Alphios River, Olympia City is the most famous city in the world.
Ancient Olympia, P.C. 27065
Description
Duration
1 day

Elis (or Ilida) was the capital of the city-state of the Eleans, which had under its guardianship the Panhellenic Sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia. Elis was the city that hosted the glorious Olympic Games every four years, for the longest period of their super-millennial duration in antiquity.

According to ancient sources, the distance between the capital city of Elis and the Sanctuary of Zeus was 300 stades, about 58 kilometers. The road that connected the two centres was called the 'Sacred Way'. On the eve of the opening of the Olympic Games, and after the completion of a period of hard preparation for the athletes in the gymnasiums of the capital city of Elis, the magnificent Sacred Procession was formed. From Elis the procession reached Olympia, following the Sacred Way on foot and in carriages. Members of this magnificent procession were the Hellanodikai, the priests, the officials of Elis, the athletes with their coaches as well as the "theoroi", the official envoys of the Greek cities. The procession was attended by horsemen and charioteers with their race horses and chariots, the inhabitants of Elis, the inhabitants of the surrounding areas and numerous foreign visitors and pilgrims with their rich offerings and their animals for sacrifice to Zeus. The arrival of the procession in Olympia marked the beginning of another Olympiad.

Today the route is revived and is called the Road to Glory. In the footsteps of the Sacred Way of antiquity, the Marathon of Olympia has been taking place in recent years. Likewise, the torchbearers who carry the Olympic Flame to Elis after each Lighting Ceremony in Olympia, follow approximately the same route, but in the opposite direction. After leaving Elis, the Olympic Flame will finally take its special place in the Olympic Stadium where the Olympic Games are hosted each time.

Watch here the Virtual Tour of The Road to Glory.

 

Copyediting: Ephorate of Antiquities of Ilia

Access instructions

The Sacred Way can be followed by private car.

Video
Panorama photos
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