Peloponnese

The Peleponnese is a land where nature is abundant where waterfalls, mountains, plains and coves have created a beautiful landscape. It is here that Epidauros, the ancient theatre is situated and nowadays plays are staged at their original setting.  Over the year Maria Callas and Monzerat Cabelle graced the ancient theatre of Epidauros.  Olympia on the other hand is the symbol of world harmony and piece. In 776 BC the first Olympic games took place in honour of Zeus, Father of the Gods. Afterwards, every four years Panhellenic contests were held attracting athletes from all the Greek city-states. The victor’s prize was a crown made from a wild olive branch, which was always cut from the same tree. Competitions came to an end in 393 AD.

Fifteen centuries later, in 1896, they were revived.  Since then every four years a torchbearer starts out from Olympia bearing the sacred flame and runs to the place where the Games are being held. To oversee the organisation of the Games, an International Olympic Academy was founded in 1961 with headquarters in Olympia.

The infrastructure of the whole area has developed since then with state-of-the-art-hotels and modern road network.

Sub Regions of Peloponnese

Central Peloponnese
East Coast
Patras West Coast
South Coast