Ancient Olympia

Ancient Olympia was the birthplace of the Olympic Games, the sacred sanctuary in the green western Peloponnese where athletes from across the Greek world competed every four years for over a millennium. Its ruins, shaded by pines, include the great temple of Zeus that held a wonder of the world, the workshop of Phidias, and the original stadium where visitors still line up on the ancient start.

History

The authorities of Elis organised the first Olympic festival here in the 8th century BC, traditionally in 776 BC, and the games were held every four years until the 4th century AD; the Temple of Hera of around 600 BC is the earliest building on the site, the first stadium of about 560 BC was a simple track, and the Temple of Zeus followed in the mid-5th century BC, the start of the sanctuary's golden age. Over time the site was buried under deposits up to 8 metres deep, perhaps left by repeated tsunamis rather than river floods, and the English antiquarian Richard Chandler identified it in 1766; French archaeologists of the Expédition scientifique de Morée dug here for six weeks in 1829 and located the Temple of Zeus. From 1875 the German government funded the great excavation under Ernst Curtius, which uncovered the centre of the sanctuary and some 14,000 objects, among them the Hermes of Praxiteles and the Nike of Paeonius (Wikipedia, Olympia, Greece).

What to look for

• The original stadium - the ancient running track with its stone start line.
• The Temple of Zeus - the ruins of the temple that held a Wonder of the World.
• The sanctuary ruins - the treasuries, palaestra and workshop of Phidias.
• The museum - the sculptures, including the Hermes of Praxiteles.

When to go

Spring and autumn for mild weather and green surroundings; summer is hot, though the site has more shade than most. It is far from Athens, best combined with a Peloponnese trip or a cruise stop.

Practical notes

It is far in the western Peloponnese, a long way from Athens, best on a wider tour or cruise. The ruins are tumbled and low, so the stadium and museum bring it alive more than the foundations. It can be busy with cruise groups.

Nearby

The green hills of the western Peloponnese surround it; the coast and Patras are within reach.

Key facts