Marathon connects memories of antiquity with the history of modern running. The Marathon Tomb, the nearby site of the battle, and the exhibitions highlight different periods; the annual marathon and the March for Peace add further, clearly distinct associations. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between ancient history, the history of the Olympic marathon, and the annual events.
Ancient Remembrance Around Marathon
The Marathon Tomb is also known as the Soros. It is located 42 kilometers from Athens and near the site of the battle of 490 BC between the ancient Athenians and the Persians. The distance provides a point of reference in relation to Athens; the tomb’s proximity to the battle site places it within the ancient history of the region.
The Marathon Tumulus is located in the immediate vicinity of the destination. It has a diameter of 50 meters and was built after the battle between the Athenians and Persians. The remains of 192 Athenian fighters who fell at Marathon were buried there. The measurements and number of those buried give the tumulus a concrete historical dimension, while its origins connect it to the battle.
Marathon and the History of Running
The annual international marathon over the classic distance starts at the Marathon Tomb. The historic settlement of Marathon has starting facilities for this race. It commemorates Spyros Louis’s victory at the 1896 Olympic Games. Thus, a site of ancient remembrance and the history of a modern sporting event come together at the same starting point.
The exhibitions also focus on the history of running. The Marathon Race Exhibition Center is located in the historic settlement of Marathon. The permanent exhibition at the Marathon Run Museum covers the history of the Olympic marathons from 1896 to 2000. The year 1896 connects the exhibition chronologically with Spyros Louis’s victory; the stated period extends to 2000. Anyone interested in the development of the Olympic marathons will find a different perspective here than in the ancient history of the tomb and tumulus.
The March for Peace as Another Annual Occasion
The annual March for Peace begins at the Marathon Tomb and ends in central Athens. It commemorates the first March for Peace, organized in 1963 by Greek politician and pacifist Grigoris Lambrakis. The international marathon and the peace march both start at the tomb, but represent different remembrances: the marathon relates to the 1896 Olympic victory, while the March for Peace relates to the first peace march in 1963. This distinction helps ensure that the two events are not treated as equivalent simply because they share a starting point.
If you would like to plan your trip around one of the annual occasions, check the specific event date before making plans. A year associated with an event is not a substitute for a current date.
Collections and the Surrounding Landscape
The Municipality of Marathon is also home to the Varnavas Interactive Agricultural Folklore Museum, whose collection comprises 5,000 exhibits. This adds another cultural point of interest within the municipality to the themes of antiquity and running history.
Lake Marathon is also located in the immediate vicinity of Marathon. It was formed after the construction of the Marathon Dam at the confluence of the Haradros and Varnavas streams. Its formation is therefore tied to two specific landscape features: the dam and the confluence of the two streams. This offers a different perspective on the area than the historic sites of remembrance and the running exhibitions.
It is easy to keep the different themes in mind separately when planning your trip: the tomb and tumulus refer to the battle of 490 BC, the exhibitions cover the history of the Olympic marathon, and the March for Peace commemorates 1963. This lets you decide which theme you would like to focus on during your stay.
Discover more destinations: Anávissos, Rafina, Kryonéri, Markopoulo Mesogaias, Agios Konstantinos, Keratea, Kato Posidonia, Grammatiko
Return to the main travel overview: East Attica.
