The great historian and traveler, Pausanias mentions it as the "Administration Office of the people of Elis region". It is located in the northwest corner of the sanctuary, close to the entrance of Altea and opposite the Gymnasium.
What was the Prytaneion in Ancient Olympia?
It was the seat of the officials who were responsible for the sacrifices that were made once a month. The Prytaneion is one of the oldest buildings of the Sanctuary of Olympia. At the same time, it can be characterized as one of the most important buildings of the Sanctuary as it was the administrative center of the Olympic Games but also the administrative center of the wider area of Elis region.
This is a square structure that was erected at the end of the 6th century BC., while it received a series of later renovations. The length of each side was 32.80 meters and it included another square structure where the "lime fire" was burning.
Inside the Prytaneion was the restaurant that hosted the official meals during the Olympic Games, while unfortunately today the interior of the monument can not be visited.