The municipality is proceeding with the formation of a tourist route, with the aim of crossing only pedestrians and bicycles, within the boundaries of the demarcated archeological site of Ancient Olympia, with the aim of highlighting and protecting the natural landscape and the wider archaeological landscape, promoting mild forms of movement. the creation of conditions for the promotion of tourism.
Speaking to the Athenian-Macedonian News Agency, the mayor of Ancient Olympia, George Georgiopoulos, “the importance of this project for Ancient Olympia is great, because it highlights the archaeological site, offering a solution of aesthetic and functional value to the accessibility of visitors.” .
As he explained, “the old asphalt national road that for decades intersected the archeological site, is transformed into a beautiful pedestrian-bicycle path harmoniously integrated into the landscape of Olympia, making access more attractive and more visitor-friendly, while becoming more environmentally friendly. ».
At the same time, he stressed that “we will make every effort to complete the project as soon as possible.”
“In the second phase”, continued the mayor, “with another project that is now under study, a new bridge will be built on the river Kladeos, south of the existing one, for a wide road bypass of the archeological site”.
Also, George Georgiopoulos stressed in APE – BPE that “with the specific projects we want to offer the modern visitor better accessibility to the monument, adding new experiences with an alternative route of walking and recreation in the very natural Olympic landscape”.
Referring to the formation of a tourist route, he said that “an important project begins that I had the honor, as deputy governor of Ilia, in collaboration with the then municipal authority, to design it and include it in the OHL” Katakolo – Pyrgos – Ancient Olympia “, while I want to thank the Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni and the curator of antiquities of Ilia, Erofili Kollia, for the excellent cooperation we had, as well as the Regional Governor of Western Greece, Nectarios Farmakis, who signed the inclusion of the project in the regional operational program “.
In particular, regarding the project, according to the study, the tourist route is the natural continuation of the main commercial road of the settlement of Ancient Olympia and part of the old national road, which leads to the museum and the archeological site. Specifically, the study area concerns the section that starts from the bridge of the river Kladeos and ends at the entrance of the Olympic Academy.
At the same time, the area is adjacent to the archaeological site, but develops outside its boundaries, with the result that the visitor who will follow the tourist route has the opportunity to come in visual contact with the archaeological site after the end of its opening hours and in addition, to reach other points of interest, such as the sanctuary of Demeter Hamyni, the monument of Pierre de Coubertin etc. It will also be able to get in touch with the rich natural environment of the area.
As mentioned above, the tourist route is a natural continuation of the already formed traffic that starts from the boarding and disembarking area next to the hill where the Museum of the History of the Ancient Olympic Games is located.
On the way to the archeological site, the visitor, crossing the bridge over the river Kladeos, arrives at the ticket office, where he meets the new entrance to the archeological site, and ends at the Olympic Academy.
Initially, the route follows the slopes of Kronio hill, and then the route continues along the ancient stage with the natural slope of the ground allowing the visitor to enjoy the view to the valley of Alfeios and the archeological site.
After the border of the excavated archeological site is the entrance to the monument of Pierre de Coubertin and the route continues along the facilities of the International Olympic Academy.
The course on the outskirts of the facilities of the International Olympic Academy ends at the entrance of the fenced area of ​​the IOA, while the end of the route is at the location of the auxiliary gate of the Academy, with the possibility of extension to Linaria.
At the same point and at a distance of about 130 meters northeast of the ancient stadium was discovered in October 2006 at a depth of 2.50 meters the sanctuary of Dimitra Hamyni known from Pausanias, while next to it came to light Roman baths.
The total budget of the project amounts to 1,074,925.84 euros, while for security reasons, the possibility of passing emergency vehicles, such as fire trucks, ambulances, etc., when necessary.
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