"Olympia" Olympia by Aitana

Olympia Travel Guide: 158 reviews and 505 photos

Ancient Olympia, Ïëýìðéá, is perhaps the most beatiful archaeological site I've visited. It is close to the modern village of Olympia, on the side of mount Kronos, near the confluence of two rivers: Alpheus and Kladeos.

Spring is a nice time to visit Olympia. The cherry trees are in blossom, the grass covers the ground and the weather is smooth.

Olympia is well-known for the Olympic Games of the classical times. There are records of the winners since 776 BC. The legend says that the Olympic Games featured sport events and ritual sacrifices in honor of Zeus and Pelops, divine hero and mythical king of Olympia.

In the sanctuary or Altis there are various buildings such as the Temple of Hera, the Temple of Zeus, the Pelopion (tomb of Pelops) and the area of the altar.
The hippodrome and the stadium are to the East. To the North:
- The Prytaneion, was seat of the Prytaneis (executive), and so the seat of government in ancient Greece (it contained the holy fire of Hestia, the goddess of the hearth and symbol of the life of the city).
- The Philippeion, a memorial of ivory and gold containing statues of Philip's family, in celebration of his victory at Battle of Chaeronea.
- The treasuries representing various city states are to the North.
To the West:
- The Palaestra, a large courtyard used as a boxing or wrestling surface.
- The Gymnasium, a place for training and also for socializing and engaging in intellectual pursuits.
- The Leonidaion, lodging place for athletes
- The workshop of Phidias.
Other buildings: The Metroon, the Echo Stoa, the South Stoa and the Bouleuterion or Senate.

Hermes bearing the infant Dyonisus

The colossal statue of Zeus, made of ivory and gold, sculpted by Phidias, used to stand in the Temple of Zeus at Olympia. This statue was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The Archaeological Museum of Olympia houses the statue of Hermes bearing the infant Dyonisus, sculpted by Praxiteles.

There are other masterpieces such as the Nike of Paeonius and Zeus carrying Ganimedes.