If arriving by plane, the nearest airport is Araxos, which is mostly used for charter flights. View of the site of Olympia with the temple of Zeus in the foreground and the stadium in the background. Great artists, such as Pheidias, put stamps of inspiration and creativity here, offering unique artistic creations to the world. The divine precinct is packed with history and importance. 1. The athletic training areas were used for the Olympic Games preparation and celebration. Olympia was the birthplace of the most famous and important sporting event in the ancient world. 3,909 Reviews At the centre of the Archaeological Site of Ancient Olympia stands Altis, the holy grove, which encompasses the most important buildings. 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. 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. Many altars and statues of gods, heroes, and Olympic winners, dedicated by Greek cities or the elite, filled the remaining space inside the Altis. Museum of the History of the Olympic Games of Antiquity and 4. Olympia was the centre of worship of Zeus, the father of the twelve Olympian gods. The site of Olympia, in a valley in the Peloponnesus, has been inhabited since prehistoric times. The site of the first Games, held in honor of … The Stadium of Olympia staged all the athletic competitions of the ancient Olympic Games. Many World Heritage sites are temporarily closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Athens tour The Acropolis Hill-The Parthenon-New museum of the …, Today, the ruins of the Temple of Zeus in Olympia …, The extensive ruins of the archaeological site of Olympia include …, In mere minutes, you can walk from the archaeological site …, Over 400 exhibits are presented in thematic groups dating back …, On our farm in Ancient Olympia, from which my grandparents …, Welcome to Magna Grecia, a 4th-generation family-owned and run farmhouse …, The Olympia Land Estate, a family winery, is located in the …, Skafidia Beach is located 10 km (only 13 minutes) from …, Kourouta Beach is just 25 minutes from Katakolon Port and …, Saint Andreas Beach or Agios Andreas, is a stone’s throw from …, Temple of Zeus in Olympia – History, Design, & Ruins, Museum of the History of the Olympic Games, Workshop of Pheidias (later transformed into a Christian church). 3,909 Reviews #6 of 10 things to do in Olympia. 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. Virgin IslandsU.S. Olympia, located in the Ilia (Elis) region in the north-west of the Peloponnese Peninsula, dates back to the end of the final Neolithic period (4th millennium BC), and is considered one of the most important places to trace the roots of Western society due to its religious, political, and sports tradition. 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. 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. During Roman Times, the enclosure wall was further extended on the west side, with the addition of two monumental entrances. The ticket is valid for one day. The archaeological site of Olympia includes the sanctuary of Zeus and the various buildings erected around it, such as athletic premises used for the preparation and celebration of the Olympic Games, administrative buildings as well as other buildings and monuments. However, these are strange times and we found ourselves visiting a pretty q By car, it is 290 kilometres from Athens (about 3.5 hours). The Altis – the sanctuary to … Any time of the year is suitable to visit Olympia. The site was also a place of worship dedicated to the Greek god Zeus from about the 10th century BC. Olympia remained forgotten under a layer of debris 5-7 metres deep. The annual number of visitors to the site (before the pandemic) exceeds 450,000 per year, making it 5th most visited archaeological site in Greece.” To the west lies the Nymphaion, a splendid fountain dedicated by Herodes Atticus. Some of the most remarkable works of art were created to adorn Altis, the sacred grove and sanctuary. In the 10th century B.C., Olympia became a centre for the worship of Zeus. Museum of the History of the Excavations in Olympia. Marble lion heads acted as waterspouts at the impressive Temple of Zeus. The sacred sanctuary was separated from the stadium by an enclosure wall – a peribolos – which once had three gates and the Echo Stoa! Archaeological Museum of Olympia 3. – © Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports / Ephorate of Antiquities of Ilia. Some mansions and baths, including the House of Nero, are located to the south of the hippodrome. The temples dedicated to Zeus and Hera dominate the Altis Sanctuary. Find the top-rated and best-reviewed tours and activities in Archaeological Site of Olympia for 2020. Among them, the most popular is the site of Ancient Olympia, the site of the Olympic Games, which has been declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1989. There are also residences for distinguished guests (Nero’s House) and all the sports structures used for the preparation and celebration of the Olympic Games: the stadium and the hippodrome to the east, and the thermal baths, the palaestra and the gymnasium to the south and west. In the early Byzantine era, it was converted to a Christian basilica. Olympia - Olympia - The remains: The sacred precinct, known as the Altis, or Sacred Grove of Zeus, was an irregular quadrangle more than 600 feet (183 metres) on a side, bounded on the north by the hill of Cronus and enclosed by a wall on the other three sides. 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. They represented peace and the nobility of competition. Relax and enjoy the comfort of our private tour in one of the luxurious vehicles. Although there are explanatory signs in the galleries and the site, a guided tour (not included in the ticket price) is recommended. The Archaeological Site of Olympia is open from April to October from 08:00 until 20:00 and from November to March from 08:00 until 15:00 . Ancient olympia archeological site The situation of the sanctuary of olympia in a lush region irrigated by two rivers, the Alpheus and the Cladeus, led Pindar to call … 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. Archaeological Site of Olympia. But, the concept of Olympic honor was the most important legacy left to modernity. Your tour of this important archaeological site starts from the Altis; the sacred grove of Olympia. That tradition continues to this day, nearly 3,000 years later. Over time the site was buried under alluvial deposits, up to 8 metres deep, long thought to be the result of river flooding. The Olympic Games in the times of ancient Greece were about more than sport. The Archaeological Museum at Olympia opened in its present location in 1982. This site may not function properly in your current browser. 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. 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. From November 1 to March 31, tickets for the site and museums (open from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.) are half price. 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. Archaeological Site of Olympia - Greece The site of Olympia, in a valley in the Peloponnesus, has been inhabited since prehistoric times. The site of Olympia, in a valley in the Peloponnesus, has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Olympia Archaeological Site The ancient stadium at Olympia. The extensive ruins of the archaeological site of Olympia include the Sanctuary of Zeus and many buildings surrounding it, such as the Temple of Hera, administrative buildings, the stadium, and more! It was also a place where remarkable works of art and culture were created and shared to worship the Greek god Zeus. Ancient Olympia. The Olympic Games took place here every four years from 776 BC to 393 AD. +30 697 2985734. These included the: To the east of the Altis lies the stadium where the Olympic Games were held. In the winter, there are typically no lines. It is is positioned in a serene and rich valley at the confluence of the Alpheios and the Kladeos rivers. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. Archaeological Site of Olympia. The interior of the workshop of Pheidias, where the great sculptor crafted the gigantic chryselephantine statue of Zeus. Minor Outlying IslandsUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaVietnamWallis and FutunaWestern SaharaYemenZambiaZimbabwe. Do You Have Any Questions? The Olympic Games took place here every four years from 776 BC to 393 AD. However, the archaeological site and natural environment are at their best in spring. -Archaeological Site of Olympia,-Archaeological Museum of Olympia-Museum of the History of the Olympic Games of Antiquity and-Museum of the History of the Excavations in Olympia. Archaeological Site of Olympia. Archaeological Site of Olympia: Decisions; 2015 39COM 8E - Adoption of Retrospective Statements of Outstanding Universal Value: 2009 33COM 8D - Clarifications of property boundries and sizes by States Parties in response to the Retrospective Inventory: 1989 … Archaeological Site of Olympia / Archaeological Site of Olympia. Free Admission Days: 6 March (in memory of Melina Mercouri) 18 April (International Monuments Day) 18 May (International Museums Day) Some were specifically built for sporting events, and some for the worship of Zeus. See all 145 Archaeological Site of Olympia tours on Tripadvisor 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. The Olympic Games were celebrated regularly beginning in 776 BC. 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. 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. 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Sandwich IslandsSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSvalbard & Jan Mayen IslandsSwazilandSwedenSwitzerlandSyrian Arab RepublicTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaThailandTimor-LesteTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkeyTurkeyTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluU.S. In subsequent centuries the Alpheios and the Kladeos overflowed and together with landslips from Mount Kronios buried the site deep in mud and sand. Ancient Olympia is an archaeological site situated in an area of great natural beauty in Peloponnese. Olympia is the most famous archaeological site in the Peloponnese and must usually be full of tourists. We recommend booking Archaeological Site of Olympia tours ahead of time to secure your spot. The Olympic Games—the most famous and important sporting event in the ancient world—paid homage to the finest athletes. The site was also a place of worship dedicated to the Greek god Zeus from about the 10th century BC. In the late 20th century, research was conducted primarily by the German Archaeological Institute in Athens and the Ephorate (Magistrate) of Antiquities in Olympia. It is considered one of the most important sanctuaries of the antiquity and it was dedicated to the father of all gods, Zeus. The Archaeological Museum of Olympia (Greek: Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο Ολυμπίας) is one of the principal museums of Greece, located in Olympia.It is overseen by the Ministry of Culture and Sports, and, as of 2009, is directed by Georgia Xatzi.When the original building was completed and opened in 1882, it was the first museum in Greece outside of Athens. The revival of the Olympic Games in 1896, through the efforts of Pierre de Coubertin, illustrates the lasting nature of the ideals of peace, justice, and progress—the most fragile attributes of human heritage. These ideals, and elements of the events, have continued to this day. Sights and Attractions recommended by the locals. 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 Temple of Zeus dominated the sanctuary, not only for its size but also its splendidly decorated pediments and metopes. Olympia is the most famous archaeological site in the Peloponnese and must usually be full of tourists. – © Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports / Ephorate of Antiquities of Ilia. – © Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports / Ephorate of Antiquities of Ilia. We provide efficient comfortable private tours from Katakolon Port. – © Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports / Ephorate of Antiquities of Ilia. The exact site was re-discovered in 1766 by the English antiquarian Richard Chandler. 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. 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