Stanhope, John Spencer: Olympia or topography illustrative of the actual state of the plain of Olympia and of the ruins of the city of Elis (London, 1824)

THE COURSE OF THE ALPHEUS,

AS SEEN FROM THE RUINS OF PALAOI ECCLESIA.

This view is taken from the ruins of a Greek church, now called Palaio
Ecelesia, or the ancient church, and evidently occupying- the site of a
temple, as part of the peribolos still remains: they are situated below a
large mass of rock which forms the summit of an elevated mountain, and
occupy an area of 85 feet by 25 feet; they are at rather less than an hour's
distance from Miraka to the north-cast, and command an extensive view
of the vale of the Alpheus including Olympia.

The fabulous history of this river renders it an object of such peculiar
interest, that I need not apologise to my readers for laying before them a
view which gives a representation of a considerable part of its course as well
as its junction witii the sea. I had subsequently an opportunity of visiting
the mouth of the Alpheus: it bore the appearance of a considerable river;
six polaccas and a large Zantiote vessel were at anchor. A shallow bay is
formed on its northern side by a bank of sand, which may be perceived in
this view: the surf was then high, and the waves came rolling over the more
tranquil waters of the Alpheus, so that they were not in the slightest degree
visible after their junction. It is however possible, that in a cairn sea, the
milky colour of the river may be distinguished for a certain distance, aud
have thus partly given rise to its poetical history.