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Katakolon (Olympia), Greece

Katakolon (Olympia), Greece

A short distance from the fishing village and seaport of Katakolon you’ll find Olympia, where lies arguably the most important location in all of sports. It’s the site of the original Olympic Games, which went on for nearly 1,200 years, every four years, until a Roman emperor banned them in A.D. 393. The discarded ruins were uncovered only about 150 years ago — and today, Olympia’s importance is much better understood. It’s actually been declared a national park! There’s so much history on display in Olympia at the original sites, such as the Temple of Zeus, the Olympic Stadium and the Olympia Archaeological Museum, which features fine sculptures such as the “Winged Victory” statue of Nike. (Did you know she was the Greek goddess of victory?)