Athens : Olympic Stadium

The Stadium of Athens hosted sport events since the 4th century B.C. In 1890, it was rebuilt in marble. In 1896, it hosted the first modern Olympic Games, revived thanks to the French Baron Pierre de Coubertin.
 

General view to the east, from the heights of the Acropolis. From the left, the National Garden and the Zappeio Hall, the Olympic Stadium, and Olympian Zeus temple. In the background, mount Ymittos, more than 1000 m. high, splitting Athens from Cape Sounio.

The stadium lays against a hill, in which it is fully integrated. One of the tendancies of the greek architecture was to use the natural environment, in opposite to the roman style.

The square in front of the Stadium.

The entrance of the Stadium.

On each side, some stones remember the winners of the Games.

The right side.

A view from the entrance.

It is neither an optical illusion, nor an excess of Ouzo ! The rows of seats are not straight on their whole length : close to the entrance, they are slightly curved inside, for a better view toward the end.

A view from the end of the Stadium.