General News: Ancient Olympia to acquire Botanical Garden

The Ancient Olympia archaeological site will soon acquire a Botanical Garden, after the go-ahead was given Wednesday by Greece’s Central Archaeological Council (KAS).

The “Olympic Botanical Garden” will be plated in a 25 acre expanse between the northern and northwestern slopes of Cronus Hill (Kronion), between the ancient site’s Archaeological Museum and the Hill just above the site.

The Botanical Garden will contain plants native to the area, including wild olive trees, almond trees, pomegranate trees, pines, arbutus, plane trees, cypress trees and walnut trees, as well as 6,000 bushes of aromatic and medicinal herbs and shrubs such as rosemary, lavender, myrtle, mint and rosemary. Only plants with horizontal or compact root systems that require a planting depth of not more than 80cm will be planted so as not to damage sub-ground antiquities.

The estimated 150,000 euros required have been pledged by the Municipality of Munich in Germany.

The Garden will be used mainly for educational purposes, where visitors may learn about the plants that grow naturally on Cronus Hill and the surrounding region, but also their history.

Every plant will have a sign containing its scientific and everyday name in Greek, Latin and English, and historical information on the plant, as well as its mythological connotations.