I am exceedingly delighted to share with all of you this wonderful photo diary consisting of my visit to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Zeus here in Olympia!
Where thousands of people flocked and came together in what used to be a sacred ground dedicated to the chief of the gods, Zeus, the shrine now lay in vestiges of once was the most famous sanctuary in all of Greece! I marveled before the ruins and basked myself at the allure of history that surrounded me, almost envisioning how the Temple of Zeus, erected in eminence thousands of years before our time, must have been a sight to behold… overwhelmingly grand, astonishing, and so incredibly unforgettable.
I walked around in absolute awe. As I toured, I noticed that the Temple of Zeus stood near to the base of the Acropolis. I felt more excited as I continue to unfold the rich archaeology of Athens.
The brilliant sunshine blazed triumphantly during the day which made for a clear, yet incredibly hot, sizzling day in Athens. Wearing a breezy, light-weight dress helped me stay cool, fresh and relaxed. A hat is a must-have when touring the area in the summer months. Accessorizing with a practical purse can prove helpful in carrying bottled water, a change of shoes or an extra outfit if necessary.
Arriving in Athens after a long flight from Los Angeles, I couldn’t help but feel frazzled. I chose to stay focused in order to visit the temple as it is one of the most famous archaeological sites here in Athens. I was delighted that Hadrian’s Arch, the monumental gateway in front of the Temple of Zeus, was just down the street from our hotel. Hadrian’s Arch used to be a symbol marking the boundary between the ancient city of Athens and the new modern Roman city of Hadrian. While waiting for our room to be ready, we walked towards the triumphal arch.
There are several tours and tickets being offered. I saw some signs pertaining to Half-Day Tours, Hop-on Hop-off Tours, Private Walking Tours, Photography Walking Tours, and the list goes on. I opted to go on a self-guided tour by purchasing a ticket to the Temple of Zeus. The ticket cost us 2 euros per person. I later discovered that if you buy a full price ticket at the Acropolis [12 euros], you may use it to enter the Temple of Zeus as well as four other archaeological tourist attractions in the area. I recommend making the most of the full price ticket by resting well on your first evening in Athens. On the next day, do all the outdoor attractions in the morning before it gets too hot. Then cool down at the Acropolis Museum located at the base of the Acropolis.
I am grateful to have had the chance to see a part of Greek archaeology and the Temple of Zeus for myself. I remember growing up that I was completely enamored with Greek history and to have finally walked on the same ground as Aristotle was in itself an extraordinary adventure for which I truly feel incredibly appreciative. Thank you, Athens, for an experience of a lifetime.
