Geography: Katakolon (Κατάκολον) is a small port town located about 15km from Pirgos on the western coast of the Peloponnese. Olympia is the birthplace of the Olympic Games and Zeus' sacred place.
Distance from Pittsburgh: 8222 km or 5109 miles
What You Must See: Ancient Olympia and Mercouri Vineyards
Historical Fact about Katakolon: Katakolon has always been a port town, with its original heyday being the end of the 19th to the mid 20th century when it was the main point of departure for the region’s famous raisons. The Pirgos – Katakolon rail link was completed in 1881, a full 10 years before the Greek state railway line between Athens and Lamia was constructed.
History Fact: The original Olympics began as a small regional festival in the 11th century, which was dedicated to the God Zeus. Zeus became top God and founder of the Olympic games. The first Olympic games were held in 776 BC and reached their height of popularity in 576 BC. The festival was open to only Greek born men but later Romans were allowed to compete
Facts about the Olympic Games: The events included foot races, wrestling, discus, javelin, long-jump, horse and chariot racing, and a type of boxing called pancratium. There were not only atheletic events but also writing, poetry and history readings.
End of the Olympics: The games were banned in 426 by the emperor Theodosius II because they were pagan, and the temples were destroyed.
Revival of the Olympics: The Olympics were officially revived in 1896 in Athens. The first modern international Olympic Games held in Athens at Platia Kotzia, then called Ludouvikou or Ludvig Square, in 1859, sponsored by Evangelis Zappas.
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