The archaeological site of Ancient Olympia lies in the western Peloponnese, in the beautiful valley of the Alpheios river. It is the most celebrated sanctuary of ancient Greece. In the 10th century B.C., Olympia became a center for the worship of Zeus, the father of the 12 Gods of Olympus.

It lies at the base of the KronosHill, in a lush green area where the Alpheios and the Kladeos rivers meet.

Olympia became the most important religious and athletic center in Ancient Greece.
Its fame rests upon the Olympic Games, that were held every four years in the honor of Zeus for over 1100 years from 776 BC to 393 AD. They became known worldwide at the time and were the greatest national festival and highly prestigious.

The site of Olympia includes the sanctuary of Zeus and 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 temples, buildings and monuments. The stadium of Olympia, where the ancient Olympic Games were held, and the massive temple of Zeus, the largest temple in the Peloponnese, are the site’s most significant attractions.

Discover priceless artifacts at the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, including sculptures and relics that bring the past to life.