NEMEA. Nemea is located on the border of the departments of Korinthia and Argolis in Greece, just over forty kilometres from the city of Corinth. Nemea is the name of a city, but also one of the most famous wine regions of Greece. Nemea is situated at 320 meters altitude near the hill Profitis Ilias. There are about 7,000 residents who live here.
The city is divided into the old and the new town. The old town is located on the mountain and the new town below. The area has a rich history, proof of this are the archaeological sites in the region. The most important monument in the archaeological site of Nemea is the temple of Zeus, which was built in the fourth century BC (330 BC.). At the archaeological site of Nemea is a lot to see, including a stadium and a combat arena.
According to Greek mythology, the hero Hercules would have slain here the famous Lion of Nemea. The lion had an impenetrable skin and after Hercules had skinned it, he wore the skin of the lion for the rest of his life as armour. The head of the lion was his hood / helmet, the skin of the lion was his cloak.’
In the stadium of Nemea were held games since the year 573 BC, every two years, as they also were held in Olympia and Delphi.
Text: Yorgos and Wendy Nikolidakis - Revised by Maxine van Hoften Gee