The famous Greek historian Herodotus wrote of seven great architectural achievements which became known as the seven wonders of the world. Of the seven wonders of the ancient world the only one still standing is the Great Pyramid in Giza. The rest are marked by where they stood but have long been destroyed by a variety of natural disasters. I have seen 2 of the 7 namely the Great Pyramid in Egypt and the site of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon in Iraq. The Statue of Zeus stood 12 metres high and was made of ivory and gold. It is about to be Suzanne’s first of the seven wonders and was here in leafy green Olympia in Greece.
Where Delphi is dedicated to the god Apollo, Zeus rules here. In a broad verdant valley a complex dedicated to Zeus, the arts, philosophy and, most enduringly, of human sporting endeavour was constructed. The ancient Olympics were held here every 4 years starting in 776BC and finishing in 393 AD.
The foundation of the Temple of Zeus remains and a reconstructed Doric column. The stadium for sporting events has been excavated and we wander around it having the place to ourselves. It is easy to imagine the games unfolding before the spectators seated on the grassy slopes.
