The Panathenaic Stadium (Greek: Παναθηναϊκό Στάδιο, romanized: Panathinaïkó Stádio, or Kallimarmaro (Καλλιμάρμαρο, lit. "beautiful marble") is a multi-purpose stadium in Athens. One of the main historic attractions of Athens, it is the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble.
A stadium was built on the site of a simple racecourse by the Athenian statesman Lykourgos (Lycurgus) c. 330 BC, primarily for the Panathenaic Games. It was rebuilt in marble by Herodes Atticus, an Athenian Roman senator, by 144 AD and had a capacity of 50,000 seats. After the rise of Christianity in the 4th century it was largely abandoned. The stadium was excavated in 1869 and hosted the Zappas Olympics in 1870 and 1875. After being refurbished, it hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the first modern Olympics in 1896 and was the venue for 4 of the 9 contested sports. It was used for various purposes in the 20th century and was once again used as an Olympic venue in 2004. It is the finishing point for the annual Athens Classic Marathon. It is also the last venue in Greece from where the Olympic flame handover ceremony to the host nation takes place.
Visitor Info
Rating
★ 4.6 12,600 reviews
Visit Time
~60 min
Best Time
Morning or late afternoon
Insider Tips
- · Walk the seating tiers slowly because the scale is easy to underestimate
- · Late afternoon is better if you want softer light and less heat
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this stadium historically significant? ▾
It hosted the first modern Olympic Games in April 1896, making it the only stadium in the world to have hosted the first modern Olympics; it also received the marathon finishers in the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Is it really made entirely of marble? ▾
Yes — it is the only stadium in the world built entirely of white Pentelic marble, the same marble used for the Parthenon; the current structure was rebuilt by Georgios Averoff for the 1896 Games.
When was the original stadium built? ▾
The site dates to 330 BC when Lycurgus of Athens built a simple stadium for the Panathenaic Games; it was reconstructed in marble by Herodes Atticus around 144 AD.
What is the entrance fee? ▾
€10 for adults, including an audio guide; the ticket also grants entry to the small underground museum with Olympic torch and medal displays.
Can I run on the track? ▾
Yes — visitors are allowed to run on the marble track at designated times; the audio guide will indicate when and where this is permitted.
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Panathenaic Stadium — offline map & tips