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Altar of Hera, Ancient Olympia

Altar of Hera is situated in front (i.e. east side) of the temple of Hera.


At the occasion of Berlin Olympic Games in 1936, it was decided decided to light the sacred fire at this site and sinse then the ritual repeats every four years. The sacred fire is lit by the heat generated by concentrated Sun light and women in priestress' costume bring it to the stadium, where the first runner is waiting.

Photo printed on the info board in situ.

Altar of Hera and Nymphaion of Herod Atticus in the back

Reference

• Olympia Vikatou, Olympia : the Archaeological Site and the Museums, translated by Myriam Caskey, Athens : Ekdotike Athenon, 2006, p. 23.

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Travel in Greece
  Olympia
   •  Temple of Hera
         Altar of Hera
   •  Kronion Baths
   •  Nymphaion
   •  Philippeion
   •  Prytaneion
   •  Stadion