Journey back in time, to the greatness of ancient Greece and the place that gave birth to the Olympic Games.
A visit to the place that gave birth to the Olympic Games is never enough. The greatness of the ancient Greek culture never ceases to impress. In this corner of the Peloponnese you too will worship the father of the gods, Zeus. You will imagine one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world rising majestically in front of you, the 13.5 meter tall golden and ivory statue of Zeus, crafted by Pheidias. You will be in awe of the famous Mercury of Praxiteles. You will feel the glamour, glory and wisdom of a civilization that has enchanted the world forever and you will feel like you are at the starting line for a journey back in history, to the greatness of ancient Greece. Ready? We left.
Worth seeing in Ancient Olympia
Olympic Games, to the delight of Zeus
London, Beijing, Athens... Going back to the history of the Olympic Games, you will arrive where it all began: in the Peloponnese and the beautiful valley of the river Alpheus with the most famous sanctuary of ancient Greece, dedicated to the father of the gods, Zeus. In his honor, every four years an institution with pan-Hellenic radiance and brilliance was held: the Olympic Games, the most important of ancient Greece. Cults, mythical encounters, people with superpowers and glorified victories are lost in the depths of the ages... However, their echo is alive worldwide, even today.
Tour of the ancient stadium of the Olympic Games
One of the greatest archaeological sites in Greece, the ancient stadium marks the place where the ancient Olympic Games and Heraia were held. The stadium took the form you see today at the beginning of the 5th century. BC, when the great temple of Zeus was built. In ancient times, south of the stadium there was also the hippodrome. In the same area there are building complexes of baths and mansions, such as the famous mansion built by Nero, when he lived in Olympia to take part in the games.
When Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, the Olympic Games slowly lost their importance, since they were considered a pagan celebration. Finally, in 393 AD the emperor Theodosios forbade their holding. Since then, ancient Olympia never regained the grandeur and glory it enjoyed as the center of the Olympic Games. On August 18, 2004, the ancient stadium of Olympia relived moments of glory after 1611 years, as it hosted the men's and women's shot put event as part of the modern Athens Olympic Games.
The Mercury of Praxiteles
In the archaeological museum of Olympia you will find yourself face to face with the "protagonist": it is the Hermes of Praxiteles, one of the museum's most important exhibits. The god rests on a tree trunk. In his left hand, the little Dionysus. Ancient Greek art captures beauty, balance, harmony. During the Roman years, the statue underwent operations when it was moved to Heraion. Today, in the museum of Olympia, outside Hermes, you will enjoy the permanent exhibition of findings from the excavations in the sacred site of Alteos. Exhibits from prehistoric times to the early Christian years with the most important being the sculpture exhibition, which also houses the chariot race of Pelops and Oenomaus, as well as the Winged Victory of Paionius.
Guided tour of the archaeological site of Olympia
Visit the Sanctuary of Zeus, the father of the gods. All around, temples and buildings that were directly related to worship, but also buildings for the hosting and performance of the Olympic Games: sports facilities, auxiliary, utility and administrative buildings, as well as secular buildings. In the central part, Altis, the sacred grove, in which the core of the Sanctuary is developed. Now, you realize that the ancient Olympic Games in level and splendor were quite… modern.
The hidden treasures of Ancient Olympia
More monuments, more history
The temple of Hera, one of the oldest examples of monumental architecture in Greece, the Bouleuterion, the Rectorate, the ancient Gymnasium, the Palestra, the Workshop of Pheidias, the Leonida, the Philippium, the Stoa of Echoes, the Victory Plinth of the Paionion , the Nymphaeum. If you can't get enough of discovering ancient Greece, then you've come to the right place: Olympia.
Museum of the History of the Olympic Games
Admire 463 ancient works that come from the Sanctuary of Zeus in Olympia, but also from other museums that exist throughout Greece.
The Festival of Ancient Olympia in the Peloponnese
Plan your trip for the festival. It is organized every year and includes quality theater and music-dance performances.
