ANCIENT
NEMEA
An ancient city home to the Nemean Games
and a long tradition in wine-making
The site of
Ancient Nemea
NEMEAN GAMES
Nemea is mostly known as the home of the Nemean Games, one of the Panhellenic athletic festivals of ancient Greece. Nemea was a major center for both athletic and religious activities. The games, held every two years, featured various competitions similar to those of the Olympic Games and were dedicated to the god Zeus.
Central to the site is the Temple of Nemean Zeus, an impressive structure surrounded by a large sanctuary complex. The Temple in Nemea was used as a place of worship and the starting point of the Nemean Games, where sacrifices were made before the atheletic events.
ANCIENT NEMEA STADIUM
Not to be confused with Zeus the king of the god, Nemean Zeus is the god of shepherds and shepherding, a reflection of the natural enviroment as not appropriate for cultivation, but useful for grazing. The on-site museum in Nemea houses a collection of artifacts, providing insights into the ancient games and daily life in Nemea. In Greek mythology Nemea is famously associated with the Nemean Lion, a fearsome beast slain by the hero Hercules as one of his Twelve Labors. The Nemean wine, often referred to as the "Blood of Hercules," is celebrated for its rich flavor and deep color, contributing to Nemea's reputation as one of Greece's premier wine-producing regions. Take a wine tasting tour from Tolo to Nemea and experience authentic Greek flavours and be guided throught the hillside vineyards.
NEARBY
POPULAR SITES
See some other interesting places close to Tolo, explore archaeological sites in the Nafplio area or see our beaches in Argolida page for some inspiration…
