Ancient Olympia Attractions

For ages, people worshipped the Gods here, exercised and competed in games. They had no idea of that the Olympic Games would, one day, become a global event.

A picture showing two columns and other remains of the archaeological site of Ancient Olympia.
photo: troy mckaskle / CC BY-SA 2.0

Ancient Olympia Attractions

Philippeion of Olympia is a partially reconstructed sanctuary with three white-marble columns standing.
photo: P. Charpiat / CC BY-SA 3.0
#1

Philippeion

King Philip ll, the Macedon, Alexander's father, offered this circular sanctuary to Zeus and decorated it with statues of his family.

A photo depicting the columns of the Palaestra building of Olympia.
photo: Joanbanjo / CC BY-SA 3.0
#2

Palaestra of Olympia

A structure that dates from the 3rd century BC and it was serving as a training place for athletes in boxing, wrestling, and jumping.

A photo showing a standing column among other ruins of Temple of Hera at Olympia.
photo: Dennis Jarvis from Halifax, CA / CC BY-SA 2.0
#3

Temple of Hera

Dedicated to Goddess Hera it dates back to 600BC and is considered to be one of the oldest examples of monumental architecture in Ancient Greece.

An overview of the Ancient Olympia Stadium with visitors setting up for races.
photo: Joanbanjo / CC BY-SA 3.0
hidden gem
#4

Ancient Olympia Stadium

Here you can sprint on the very grounds ancient Olympic athletes did. The actual home of all Olympic Games between 776BC and 393AD.

Ruined walls and the stone outline of the Bouleuterion of Olympia among trees.
photo: Matěj Baťha / CC BY-SA 2.5
#5

Bouleuterion of Olympia

Administrative center of the ancient Olympic Games, seat of the judges and referees, and place where the penalties and the objections were discussed.

The ruins of Zeus Temple at Ancient Olympia have turned grey and lie dispersed on where the temple once stood.
photo: Elisa.rolle / CC BY-SA 4.0
#6

Temple of Zeus

Constructed the 5th century BC, Olympia's Temple of Zeus was a prime example of Doric architecture and housed one of the Seven Wonders.

A walled area with columns of what remains of the Workshop of Phidias in Olympia.
photo: Jean-Christophe BENOIST / CC BY 3.0
#7

Workshop of Phidias

Working space of antiquity's great sculptor, Phidias, who created the golden-ivory statue of Zeus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

A picture of the remains of the Prytaneion of Olympia on grass below trees.
photo: Davide Mauro / CC BY-SA 4.0
#8

Prytaneion of Olympia

Center of the administrative and political life of the sanctuary and seat of the officials responsible for the monthly sacrifices to the Gods.

A line of columns in the ruins of the Ancient Gymnasium at Olympia on grassy grounds
photo: Pan.stathopoulos / CC BY-SA 4.0
#9

Ancient Gymnasium of Olympia

This large enclosed building, the Gymnasium, was ..well.. the gym. The Athletes here would train in running, throwing the javelin and discus, and other sports.

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