In the western Peloponnese, in the so-called "valley of the gods" lies Ancient Olympia, the place that gave birth to the famous Olympic Games. Today Olympia is an important archaeological site known all over the world, where you can immerse yourself in the history of ancient Greece.
The history of Olympia
Olympia was already inhabited in ancient times, its origins in fact date back to prehistory, precisely at the end of the Neolithic period (4th millennium BC). Its importance widened when it became the main place for the worship of Zeus, the father of the gods. In fact, the first Olympic games were held in his honor in 776 BC, which continued every four years until 383 AD.
In ancient Greece these games were considered sacred, as they were celebrated in homage to the gods. Their importance was such as to suspend all wars between Greek cities, to allow them to unfold.
Inside the temple of Zeus was the colossal statue of the god made in 430 BC. in gold and ivory by the famous sculptor Fidia and considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
Ancient Olympia was discovered in 1776 by the English archaeologist Richard Chandler, but the first excavations began only in 1829, followed by other excavations between 1875 and 1881, which brought to light the plants of many buildings and finds such as the famous statue of Hermes and Dionysus, by the sculptor Praxiteles.
In 1989 Olympia was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and even today, every four years, on the occasion of the Olympic Games, the first torch bearer with an Olympic flame starts from here.
What do I find in Olympia?
From the remains of ancient buildings, scholars have shown that Olympia was not a real city, but rather one of the most important places of worship in antiquity, with temples, theaters, celebratory monuments and statues. Olimpia also boasted the stadium and gyms, used for holding Olympic games, and the buildings intended for athletes where they stayed during the Olympics.
The highest part of Olympia was surrounded by a sacred fence 200 meters long and 177 meters wide, called Altis. Inside were the sacred buildings and those used for the administration of the games. In this area you can admire the remains of the great temple of Zeus built between 470 and 457 AD. and the Doric temple of the goddess Hera, called Heranion.
The eastern area was home to the racecourse and the stadium, of which you can still see the arch leading to the playing field, part of a flight of steps for the judges and the stone of arrival for the racing competitions. In the western area there were the gym and gymnasium, where athletes trained before competing.
Admiring the ancient ruins of Olympia it will seem like you are stepping back in time and you can imagine being seated among the spectators, cheering on their traditional clothes, cheering on athletes in the oldest Olympic stadium in the world.
The Museums of Olympia
Inside the site of Olympia there is also an important archaeological museum, well kept and full of ancient finds found during excavations, divided into sculptures, bronzes and terracotta. Such as the friezes of the ancient Temple of Zeus, two pediments and twelve metopes of exceptional refinement. Then there are the Mycenaean helmet, the Nike of Peonius and the statue of Dionysus and Hermes made by Praxiteles, in addition to the various sports tools used by athletes more than 2 thousand years ago. Not to be missed!
Then we recommend you go to the Museum of the History of the Ancient Olympic Games where you will find more than 400 finds from the prehistoric era to the fifth century BC, while some medals are exhibited in the Museum of Modern Games.
How to get to Olympia
Olympia can be reached by car, taxi or bus from the cities of Pyrgos and Katakolon, which are 15 km and 40 km away respectively. From Athens the journey is longer, it is about five hours by car, but there is also a direct bus.
If you want to reach Olympia by sea the closest port is Katakolon, once you have arrived you can rent a car at the port and easily get to your destination. You can also take advantage of one of the many cruises that include Katakolon in their itinerary and organize a guided tour of Olympia, so you won't have to worry about anything!
Practical information
The ticket costs 12 euros and includes admission to the archaeological site, the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of the History of the Excavations, the Museum of Ancient Games and the Museum of Modern Games.
The site is open every day in the following hours: 08:30 - 15:30
Trust a guide who will reveal all the secrets of this millennial place. On a hot day, we suggest you visit the museum first and then the site, in order to avoid the temperature change of the air conditioning.
Near the museum there are free public toilets and a souvenir shop which also sells drinks and snacks. You will find drinking water fountains near the entrance to the excavations.
Olympia breathes a mystical air, where you can experience the thrill of walking the same paths as the ancient athletes and walking among millenary ruins. It is a fundamental stop for those who love Greek history and culture, but also for those looking for a unique and mysterious place to visit, perhaps before a relaxing holiday on another magical Greek island.
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