From racecourse to stadium
Races for the Panathenaic Games were held in this hollow between two hills long before there were seats. Around 330 BC the statesman Lykourgos built a proper stadium, and in AD 144 Herodes Atticus rebuilt it in marble.
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Panathenaic Stadium: the history, and the 1896 Olympics
The Kallimarmaro, "the beautiful marble", is the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble, and it hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Here's what you're looking at, and what to listen for as you walk in.
First stadium≈ 330 BC
Marble rebuildAD 144
Roman capacity≈ 50,000
Olympics1896 · 2004
Hear the Panathenaic Stadium story, in the app's voice
A short preview. The full story plays on its own when you walk up to it with Urban Tales.
Three stories most visitors miss
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Rebuilt for 1896
After centuries buried, the stadium was excavated in 1869 and rebuilt in marble for the first modern Olympics in 1896, which opened and closed here. It returned in 2004 for the archery and the finish of the marathon.
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Where the flame leaves Greece
The Olympic flame, lit at Olympia, is handed over to each host nation here, and the Athens Marathon finishes on this track every November.
TipWalk a stretch of the track, then climb to the top rows for a view of the Acropolis. With Urban Tales running, the stadium's story plays as you reach the entrance.
Nearby landmarks
Panathenaic Stadium: common questions
Is the Panathenaic Stadium made of marble?
Yes. It's the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble: first in AD 144, and again for the 1896 Olympics.
Which Olympics were held at the Panathenaic Stadium?
The first modern Olympic Games in 1896, which opened and closed here, and events of the 2004 Athens Olympics: archery and the marathon finish.
What does Kallimarmaro mean?
"Beautiful marble", the Athenians' nickname for the stadium.