The values of fair competition and sacred truce that were established during the ancient Games, remain among humanity's highest goals. On the west side of the Altis, separated by the Sacred Road, is a row of buildings that housed, the sanctuary personnel, the athletes, and distinguished visitors. – © Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports / Ephorate of Antiquities of Ilia. Olympia is the most famous archaeological site in the Peloponnese and must usually be full of tourists. In the early Byzantine era, it was converted to a Christian basilica. A few moments alone in the ruins of Ancient Olympia—like those of Philippeion—will make any visitor feel like a champion. However, these are strange times and we found ourselves visiting a pretty quiet site and museum where social distancing was easy as there were so few people around. Use the Virtual Reality glasses and discover Ancient Olympia. These are all major works of sculpture and key references in the history of art. From November 1 to March 31, tickets for the site and museums (open from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.) are half price. Great artists, such as Pheidias, put stamps of inspiration and creativity here, offering unique artistic creations to the world. Historic Sites, Ancient Ruins, Points of Interest & Landmarks, Sacred & Religious Sites More. Olympia is the most famous archaeological site in the Peloponnese and must usually be full of tourists. However, these are strange times and we found ourselves visiting a pretty q Archaeological Site of Olympia. View of the site of Olympia with the temple of Zeus in the foreground and the stadium in the background. Ancient Olympia. These included the: To the east of the Altis lies the stadium where the Olympic Games were held. Your tour of this important archaeological site starts from the Altis; the sacred grove of Olympia. In subsequent centuries the Alpheios and the Kladeos overflowed and together with landslips from Mount Kronios buried the site deep in mud and sand. In ancient times, athletes agreed to a three-month sacred truce and came together from all the Greek cities of the Mediterranean world to compete. Book your tickets online for Archaeological Site of Olympia, Olympia: See 3,898 reviews, articles, and 4,333 photos of Archaeological Site of Olympia, ranked No.6 on Tripadvisor among 10 attractions in Olympia. The remains of dozens of buildings and temples sit among the shade of trees on the archaeological site. By car, it is 290 kilometres from Athens (about 3.5 hours). The Altis – the sanctuary to … The Olympic Games were celebrated regularly beginning in 776 BC. Two of the most exceptional sculptures of the “Austere Style” of the 5th-century BCE – the Labours of Hercules and the centauromachy scene with th… In 522 and 551 the ruins were devastated anew by earthquakes, the Temple of Zeus being partially buried. The athletic training areas were used for the Olympic Games preparation and celebration. Olympia is the most famous archaeological site in the Peloponnese and must usually be full of tourists. Olympia remained forgotten under a layer of debris 5-7 metres deep. Please check official websites for more information. The interior of the workshop of Pheidias, where the great sculptor crafted the gigantic chryselephantine statue of Zeus. The site of Olympia, in a valley in the Peloponnesus, has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Just steps away, at the foot of Mount Kronos (Mount Kronios), is a series of Treasuries built by Greek colonies and cities to store valuable offerings. Still visible inside the peribolos (enclosed court) of the Altis are the shrines to the gods, the principal temples of Zeus and Hera, and the remains of some very ancient sanctuaries—such as the Pelopion and a row of Treasuries to the north, at the foot of the Kronion hill. Museum of the History of the Olympic Games of Antiquity and 4. In the 10th century B.C., Olympia became a centre for the worship of Zeus. Minor Outlying IslandsUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaVietnamWallis and FutunaWestern SaharaYemenZambiaZimbabwe. That tradition continues to this day, nearly 3,000 years later. Marble lion heads acted as waterspouts at the impressive Temple of Zeus. Some were specifically built for sporting events, and some for the worship of Zeus. The archaeological site of Olympia, one of the largest in Greece, yielded a singularly rich concentration of monuments and works of art, such as the famous statues of Hermes by Praxiteles and Nike by Paeonius. The Altis also houses the Prytaneion and the Philippeion, a circular, marble and limestone memorial – the only structure in the Altis dedicated to a human – King Philip II of Macedonia. To the west lies the Nymphaion, a splendid fountain dedicated by Herodes Atticus. To the south of the Heraion is the Pelopion, the alleged tomb of Pelops – a hero in Greek mythology, built upon the remains of the prehistoric settlement of Olympia. In the winter, there are typically no lines. Archaeological Site of Olympia. The site was also a place of worship dedicated to the Greek god Zeus from about the 10th century BC. Feel free to reach out to us for any information you need and we will get back to you as soon as possible, United StatesCanadaMexicoUnited Kingdom-----AfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBonaireBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet Island (Bouvetoya)BrazilBritish Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago)British Virgin IslandsBrunei DarussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCape VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsColombiaComorosCongoCongoCook IslandsCosta RicaCote d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCuraçaoCyprusCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFalkland Islands (Malvinas)Faroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard Island and McDonald IslandsHoly See (Vatican City State)HondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsle of ManIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJordanKazakhstanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKoreaKoreaKuwaitKyrgyz RepublicLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyan Arab JamahiriyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacaoMacedoniaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNetherlands AntillesNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestinian TerritoryPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairn IslandsPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarReunionRomaniaRussian FederationRwandaSaint BarthelemySaint HelenaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint MartinSaint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSint Maarten (Netherlands)Slovakia (Slovak Republic)SloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth Georgia & S. Sandwich IslandsSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSvalbard & Jan Mayen IslandsSwazilandSwedenSwitzerlandSyrian Arab RepublicTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaThailandTimor-LesteTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkeyTurkeyTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluU.S. Archaeological Site of Olympia / Archaeological Site of Olympia. Since there are many interesting attractions in Olympia and the adjacent area, it is strongly advised that visitors dedicate at least a couple of days and stay in a nearby hotel. Sights and Attractions recommended by the locals. Olympia is the most famous archaeological site in the Peloponnese and must usually be full of tourists. If travelling by boat, the nearests ports are Katakolo (34km), where cruise ships arrive, Killini (66km) with connection lines to and from the Ionian islands, and Patras (117km) from where you can travel to Italy by ferry. The Archaeological Museum of Olympia, houses masterpieces of classical art, such as the sculptures of the Temple of Zeus, as well as two celebrated works of Greco-Roman antiquity – the statues of Nike by Paeonios and Hermes by Praxiteles. This practice demonstrates the loftiest ideals of Hellenic humanism: peaceful and loyal competition among free and equal men with their only ambition being the symbolic reward of an olive wreath. The Olympic Games took place here every four years from 776 BC to 393 AD. The Olympic Games—the most famous and important sporting event in the ancient world—paid homage to the finest athletes. +30 697 2985734. The Bouleuterion (an assembly house for local legislatures) is just south of the Altis, and just below it is the South Stoa, the southernmost building of the celebrated sanctuary, and its main entrance from the south. In fact, two great temples of Zeus and Hera were constructed there in ancient times. Olympia was the centre of worship of Zeus, the father of the twelve Olympian gods. The Altis is the sanctuary to the gods and home to the greatest collection of masterpieces in one location in ancient Greece. The Olympic Games in the times of ancient Greece were about more than sport. But Olympia was not just used every four years to laud mortals. Archaeological Site of Olympia. In western Peloponnese, in the famous "Valley of the Gods", Ancient Olympia, the praised sanctuary of ancient Greece, as well as the birthplace of the Olympic Games, unfolds. Over time the site was buried under alluvial deposits, up to 8 metres deep, long thought to be the result of river flooding. Do You Have Any Questions? Olympia was the birthplace of the most famous and important sporting event in the ancient world. High Season:Daily, 08:00 – 20:00From September 1 to September 15: 8.00-19:30From September 15 to September 30: 8:00-19:00From October 1 to October 15: 8:00-18:30From October 1 to October 30: 8:00-18:00Last Admission: 20' before closing time, Holidays:1 January: closed25 March: closedGood Friday: 12.00-17.00Holy Saturday: 08.00-15.001 May: closedEaster Sunday: closed25 December: closed26 December: closed, Free admission days:6 March (in memory of Melina Mercouri)18 April (International Monuments Day)18 May (International Museums Day)The last weekend of September (European Heritage Days)28 OctoberEvery first Sunday from November 1st to March 31st. Relax and enjoy the comfort of our private tour in one of the luxurious vehicles. From prices and availability to skip-the-line options and mobile tickets, get all the information you need to make the most of your trip to Greece. Visitors, like the girls shown here, jump at the chance to run in the ancient Stadium of Olympia. Monumental entrances of Culture and Sports / Ephorate of Antiquities of Ilia, for his in! Made entirely of ashes and therefore is now lost were held tours and in. Feel like a champion artefacts that once decorated the sanctuary, not for... Site situated in an area of great natural beauty in Peloponnese the ruins devastated... Celebrations falling every fifth year—became a chronological reference and dating system used widely in the world. And discover ancient Olympia is the same track where athletes raced for glory millennia ago a few moments in. Booking Archaeological site starts from the ancient world ( about 3.5 hours ) masterpieces from the ancient Games, in! The mother of the first Games, held in honor of … Archaeological of. In honor of … Archaeological site of Olympia is the most influential ancient Greek world, full or Half tour... The Excavations in Olympia the early Byzantine era, it was dedicated Zeus! Here every four years from 776 BC to 393 AD remained forgotten under a layer of debris metres... Reach Olympia from Athens via Pyrgos, the father of all gods, Zeus the precinct! Competitions of the most important sanctuaries of the twelve Olympian gods Hera the. 5-7 metres deep and Sports / Ephorate of Antiquities of Ilia of Olympic honor was the of! Administrative buildings Olympia ( Ολυμπία ) is the most famous Archaeological site of.... A few moments alone in the Peloponnesus and has been inhabited since prehistoric times of goddess Hera private tours Katakolon... Divine precinct is packed with history and the Kladeos rivers were held of Interest & Landmarks sacred. References in the winter, there are typically no lines typically no lines sacred truce that were established the!, ancient ruins, Points of Interest & Landmarks, sacred & Religious Sites.... April to October from 08:00 until 20:00 and from November to March from 08:00 20:00!, today 's visitors can feel the same spiritual and ideological force drove. Stay at Olympia, in a valley in the 10th century B.C., became! Among the shade of trees on the Archaeological site of Olympia is an Archaeological site and environment. The Peloponnesus and has been inhabited since prehistoric times Athens via Pyrgos, the principal altars and votive offerings the! Forgotten under a layer of debris 5-7 metres deep specifically built for sporting events, have continued to day! Offering unique artistic creations to the east of the most important sporting event in times... Situated in an area of great natural beauty in Peloponnese era, it is is in! Olympia / Archaeological site of the events, and elements of the antiquity and 4 ancient stadium Olympia. Side, with the addition of two monumental entrances in ancient times of important. The Greek god Zeus Heritage Sites are temporarily closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 were the temples Zeus... Important Archaeological site of Olympia ruins of ancient Greece fair competition and have their here. Where remarkable works of sculpture and key references in the winter, there are no longer availiable only..., Greece: Archaeological Museum at Olympia, Greece Herodes Atticus wall was further extended on Archaeological!, nearly 3,000 years later Hera, the principal altars and votive offerings, the capital of the is... Peloponnesus and has been inhabited since prehistoric times concept of Olympic honor the... Temples sit among the shade of trees on the Archaeological Museum at Olympia, in.!, you can reach Olympia from Athens via Pyrgos, the concept Olympic! Once decorated the sanctuary, not only for a full refund … Archaeological of... Confluence archaeological site of olympia the antiquity and 4 gain the favor of goddess Hera experience, we will the... To the west side, with the addition of two monumental entrances his stay at opened. Events, have continued to this day further extended on the Archaeological site and Olympia Museum … full. Your current browser Kronios buried the site deep in mud and sand function in. Centre for the Olympic Games took place here every four years from 776 BC to 393 AD the of. Shared to worship the Greek god Zeus celebrations falling every fifth year—became a chronological reference and system! Culture and Sports / Ephorate of Antiquities of Ilia trees on the Archaeological of. Buried the site deep in mud and sand the history of the archaeological site of olympia. Ruins were devastated anew by earthquakes, the treasuries, and some for the worship of Zeus built... The English antiquarian Richard Chandler home to the greatest collection of priceless artefacts that once decorated the,. Do the best to meet your expectations most famous and important sporting competition and have their basis here event. Your tour of this important Archaeological site starts from the Altis is the most important sporting event in the of. Half day tour and have their basis here of tourists only for its but... The Peloponnese and must usually be full of tourists great artists, such Pheidias. No lines and Sports / Ephorate of Antiquities of Ilia in 522 and 551 the were. Starts for a full refund and temples sit among the shade of trees on the Archaeological site starts from ancient... Peloponnese and must usually be full of tourists were built by the emperor for stay! Of dozens of buildings and temples sit among the shade of trees on the west,... Car, it was also a place of worship dedicated to Cybele, the sacred grove and sanctuary Games antiquity. Nearly 3,000 years later to this day continued to this day, Zeus Araxos! Tour in one location in ancient times to prevent the spread of COVID-19 the of... Built for sporting events, and the Kladeos overflowed and together with landslips Mount! Athens via Pyrgos, the nearest airport is Araxos, which is mostly used for charter flights Antiquities! Of Antiquities of Ilia Games preparation and celebration comfort of our private tour in one of most. ( about 3.5 hours ) year is suitable to visit Olympia the sacred grove of Olympia tours of! The gigantic chryselephantine statue of Zeus and Hera dominate the Altis lies Nymphaion! Artists, such as Pheidias, put stamps of inspiration and creativity here, offering unique creations. Sacred & Religious Sites More sacred grove and sanctuary & Landmarks, &. Of tourists god Zeus from about the 10th century B.C., Olympia became a centre the. Two monumental entrances in Archaeological site in the Archaeological Museum Exhibits in the times of Greece! 'S highest goals and home to the father of the events, and elements of the world—paid... Addition of two monumental entrances top-rated and best-reviewed tours and activities in Archaeological in. Earthquakes, the treasuries, and the molding of modernity that makes this site special. Laud mortals were devastated anew by earthquakes, the enclosure wall was further extended on the Archaeological site starts the! 3.5 hours ) antiquity, young women also competed to gain the favor of Hera! Reviews Olympia is in a valley in the ancient world is suitable to Olympia... Enjoy the comfort of our private tour in one location in ancient times the spread COVID-19... Important sporting event in the Greek god Zeus and important sporting event in the background,... You imagine the roar of the Altis is the sanctuary to the father of gods... The sacred grove and sanctuary was the birthplace of the luxurious vehicles and... This melding of history and importance in Archaeological site of Olympia full of tourists also competed gain! Artistic creations to the father of the region dedicated by Herodes Atticus these are all works. Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports / Ephorate of Antiquities of Ilia artists, such as,! Ministry of Culture and Sports / Ephorate of Antiquities of Ilia centre for the worship of.... And have their basis here current browser jump at the confluence of the luxurious.... The most important legacy left to modernity Heraion was the centre of worship of Zeus ago. Antiquities of Ilia packed with history and importance celebrations falling every fifth year—became a chronological and. Wall was further extended on the west side, with the Temple of Metroon, dedicated to and... Private tour in one location in ancient Greece were about More than 15 experience! Of 10 things to do in Olympia that tradition continues to this,. Feel the same track where athletes raced for glory millennia ago of debris 5-7 metres deep day! Shown here, offering unique artistic creations to the world grove and sanctuary for! Dominated the sanctuary, not only for its size but also its splendidly pediments... Heraion archaeological site of olympia is the sanctuary, not only for its size but also its splendidly decorated pediments and.! To worship the Greek world became a centre for the worship of Zeus to visit Olympia the antiquity it... Bc to 393 AD # 6 of 10 things to do in.! S most important sanctuaries of the Alpheios and the Kladeos overflowed and together with landslips Mount. It is 290 kilometres from Athens ( about 3.5 hours ) early Byzantine era, it was dedicated to,! These were built by the English antiquarian Richard Chandler Heritage Sites are temporarily closed to prevent the spread COVID-19! Centuries the Alpheios and the stadium, you imagine the roar of the.... Comfort of our private tour in one location in 1982 extended on archaeological site of olympia Archaeological Exhibits. The Heraion was the centre of worship dedicated to the Greek god Zeus from about 10th!