Ancient Nemea

YOu're right, Alan... I certainly AM a fan... since I discovered it, I have brought 6 traveling companions there, and they have been 100% surprised and thrilled ... and even the "ladies of a certain age" got a kick of crouching in the 2,500-year-old starting blocks for a race. Since my first visit, continuing AND authentic restoration... the fallen temple piillars, one by one have gained height, as marble "slices" on the ground have been lifted an precisely fitted into place. And the heroes' tunnel!! Where u can see grafitti from athletes in millenias past.

What's more THIS Summer is a Red-Letter Season -- the 7th Nemea Games Revival July 22-24 ... even coming beforehand or after this event, you can experience the thrill of this event! It was started by local people, in response to the wonderful excavaation & renewal of the site, and dedicated to an authentic Games. Competitiors wear the traditional "Chitons" (short white robes).. and there are opening ceremonies with officials dressed as priestesses & high officers. Since the first one, crowds have grown, with lovers of ancient hisitory coming from around the world to participate.

If anyone is driving from Athens to Nafplio or other Peloponnese destinations, ANCIENT NEMEA Is only about 5-10 Km off the big highway south from Corinth ... a marvelous "detour" with NO tour busses. PS: as a great add-on, surrounding this site, are the best vineyards in Peloponnese ... a little research will show you where to go to get a wine-sampling (Or just ask the people in the Nemea Museum -- they know the area well). Right in the VILLAGE Of Nemea, on the Main Street, there's a wine-bottling plant. you can go in & see the bottles trundlling around on a teeny assembly belt & having labels affixed... and the next room is full of Giant Barrels for you to sample & purchase (be sure u have a driver who's abstinent).

Janet, thanks, I didn’t know about the Revival. Sounds like it will be fun.

And I second the comments about Nemean reds. It’s a holiday weekend here in the UK and we are planning to settle down for the evening with a bottle! Cheers!

Enjoy the Red, Alan... my favorite of usually-available reds! And as long as I'm doing the Nemean RAVE, may as well give the site's website -- http://nemeangames.org/ -- this is a abit of a misnomer because YES it does give all the info about the games (photos of kids racing, people in ancient garb, lighting of flames etc), but ALSO the complete background on the ancient site, how it came to be excavated, the process by the institution involved (Univ California/BErkeley), coopration with local population & Greek govt & academics, the amazing discoveries, restoration etc. When I was there in 2013, I got a complete book on the site... thrilling.

Janet - thanks, that’s really interesting. I’ve never visited the site - it was closed on the only occasion we were in Nemea - but it looks really impressive. So much to do, so little time!

Thanks again
Alan