In the center of Athens, near the congress hall of the National Garden and Zappeion, Panathinaikos stadium is unique, or as the Greeks call it, Kali Marmara (which means "beautiful marble"). It is the oldest and the world's only stadium, built of white Pentelic marble. In 1896, after the reconstruction, the stadium held the first in the modern history of the Olympic Games.

In ancient times, the stadium was the venue for the Panathenaic Games, it was the largest religious political festival in ancient Athens. Panathenaea held in honor of the patron saint of the city of the goddess Athena.

The stadium was built around 566 BC and is equipped with wooden benches. In 329 BC on the initiative of the archon Lycurgus (Athenian statesman and orator), the stadium was rebuilt in marble. In 140 AD Stadium updated and significantly expanded, it now has 50 thousand seats.

Remains of ancient buildings have been excavated in the mid-19th century. It was also decided to hold capital reconstruction of the stadium. The funds allocated for construction works philanthropist Evangelis Zappas. With its support were held and the Greek Olympic competitions in 1870 and 1875's.

Before the games was held in 1896 the second phase of large-scale works at the expense of the Greek merchant and philanthropist George Averoffa (today it is a marble statue stands at the entrance to the stadium). Design a new stadium architects Anastasios Metaxas known and Ernst Ziller. Since the stadium built for the old model, its treadmills do not meet today's modern standards. Today, the stadium can accommodate up to 80 thousand spectators.

In 2003, the image of the stadium Panathinaikos were minted coins in the collection in honor of the 2004 Olympic Games.

During the 2004 Olympic Games in the stadium held competitions in archery.

The stadium is not only used for sporting events, but also as a concert venue. There were such famous artists as Bob Dylan, Tina Turner, "Depeche Mode", Sakis Rouvas and others. Also, the stadium hosts exhibitions devoted to the culture of Greece.