Panoramic view
Panoramic view (from the NW)
Aerial photo (from the SW)
Reconstruction / model
Reconstruction /plan
The heart of the sanctuary of Olympia, the sacred grove, where lay the religious buildings, the sacred precincts (temenē) and the votive offerings.
Panoramic view
Photo of the temple (from the E)
Photo of the temple (from the E)
Photo of the temple (from the S)
Ground plan
Reconstruction / model
Reconstruction / drawing
Hermes of Praxiteles (Archaeological Museum of Olympia)
The earliest temple of the sanctuary of Olympia, built around 600 BC in the Doric Order. In its interior some of the most valuable treasures of the sanctuary were kept: these included the discus of Iphitos inscribed with the text of the Sacred Truce, the table of Kolotis where the victors’ wreaths were place, and votive offerings to the goddess, such as the statue of Hermes by the sculptor Praxiteles.
Panoramic view
Photo of the altar (from the E)
The Olympic Flame lighting
Ground plan
To the east of the temple of Hera lies the altar where the offerings to the goddess were deposited. Nowadays, the Olympic Flame lighting ceremony takes place at the site.
Aerial photo (from the N)
Photo of the monument (from the NW)
Photo of the monument (from the E)
Ground plan
Reconstruction / model
Built in the mid-6th c. BC, it functioned as the seat of the Boule (Council) of the Elean citizens and the Hellanodikai. This is where the athletes were registered, lots were drawn, announcements for the official programme of the Games were made and offences came to trial. At the beginning of the Games, athletes and judges took an oath to fully abide by the rules.
Panoramic view
Photo of the monument (from the NW)
Ground plan
Reconstruction / model
It was erected in the mid-6th c. BC. The building housed the hearth where the sacred flame (the “eternal fire”) burned. The Prytaneion also accommodated the official feast held in honour of the Olympic victors.
Panoramic view (from the N to the S)
Aerial photo (from the NW)
Aerial photo (from the E)
Reconstruction / model
Treasure of the Megarians (architectural sculpture decoration at the Archaeological Museum of Olympia)
Small structures built between the 6th and the 5th c. BC to house the precious votive offerings which the Greek city-states dedicated to the sanctuary of Zeus.
Panoramic view
Photo of the monument (from the SW)
Reconstruction / model
The Pelopion was the temenos (sacred enclosure) surrounding the tomb of the hero Pelops, the mythical founder of the Games. In the 6th c. BC, a tumulus was erected, 2m in height, and later, during the 5th c. BC, an enclosure wall was built featuring a plain entrance. Within its bounds grew poplar trees and statues were mounted.
Aerial photo (from the SW)
Panoramic view
Aerial photo (from the W)
Temple entrance
Photo of the monument (from the SW)
Ground plan
Reconstruction / model
Reconstruction / drawing
West pediment (Archaeological Museum of Olympia)
One of the metopes with the Labours of Heracles (Archaeological Museum of Olympia)
The statue of Zeus by Pheidia (reconstruction)
Vase portraying Zeus enthroned (Archaeological Museum of Olympia)
The magnificent temple of the father of the gods, a symbol of the Classical period, was built around 476–457 BC in the Doric Order. Pausanias mentions Libon of Elis as its architect.
It was decorated with superb sculptures of Parian marble. Its pediments feature two significant myths: the east pediment depicts the chariot race between Pelops and Oinomaos, one of the founding myths of the Games. The west pediment illustrates the Centauromachy, the conflict between the Centaurs and the Lapiths, a myth that symbolizes the dominance of rationality and justice over violence and barbarity and calls to mind the then recent victory of the Greeks against the Persians. On the metopes unfold the Labours of Heracles, a pivotal figure in the Games’ mythology.
The interior of the temple was dominated by the statue of Zeus, one of the wonders of the ancient world. Created by Pheidias, more than 12m in height, it was made of gold and ivory, dating around 430 BC.
Reconstruction / drawing
Reconstruction / drawing
Altar of Zeus. Bronze and terracotta votive offerings (Archaeological Museum of Olympia)
According to the myth, the building site of the altar in Olympia had been indicated by Zeus himself by striking the ground with a thunderbolt hurled from Mount Olympus. Today, its exact location remains unknown; however, it was not built right before the temple’s entrance, as was customary. Ancient sources inform us that it was a round structure made from the ashes of the thighs of sacrificial animals. A large number of the votives dedicated by the faithful come from its ash.
Aerial photo (from the W)
Photo of the monument (from the E)
Reconstruction / model
A square structure built around the mid-5th c. BC. It was the seat of the theēkoloi, the priests of Olympia and the staff responsible for the operation of the sanctuary and the smooth running of the Games.
Aerial photo (from the W)
Photo of the monument (from the W)
Photo of the monument
Reconstruction / model
Reconstruction / model
Tools found in the area (Archaeological Museum of Olympia)
Vase with the inscription «ΦΕΙΔΙΟ ΕΙΜΙ» (“Ι belong to Pheidias”) (Archaeological Museum of Olympia)
Outside the Altis precinct, opposite the temple of Zeus, stood the workshop where the famous sculptor Pheidias rendered the god’s chryselephantine statue around 430–420 BC. Later, in the 5th c. AD, a church was built over its ruins; this is the form in which the monument is preserved today.
aerial photo (from the SW)
possible spot of the sacred olive
To the southwest of the temple of Zeus grew a sacred wild olive tree. A boy, whose parents were still alive (pais amphithales), cut the branches for the victor's wreaths, the famous kotinos, with a gold pair of loppers. The winners were crowned on the last day in front of the temple’s entrance.
The pedestal of the statue
Nike, Archaeological Museum of Olympia
Reconstruction / drawing
Next to the entrance to the temple of Zeus stood the statue of Nike, a work by the sculptor Paionios. The hovering goddess is depicted descending from Olympus. Her flimsy chiton is shown flowing, highlighting the gracefulness of her movement and the beauty of her body. The statue was dedicated by the Messenians and the Naupactians in commemoration of their victory against the Lacedaemonians on the island of Sphacteria (421 BC).
Reconstruction / model of the sanctuary with the statues
Reconstruction / model of the sanctuary with the statues
The Altis precinct abounds with scattered votive offerings and statues, reminding visitors of the glorious accounts of the sanctuary and the amazing accomplishments of the athletes.
Aerial photo (from the W)
Aerial photo (from the E)
Photo of the monument (from the W)
Ground plan
With the exception of the equestrian events, all other competitions were held at the Stadium. Originally, its entrance faced the altar of Zeus, underlining the close link between the Games and religion. However, gradually, from the 6th c. BC onwards, the Stadium moved further away from the sanctuary and was given a more monumental character.
Panoramic view
The stadium (from the W)
West balbis
East balbis
A row of carved stone markers indicated the starting and finish lines at the Stadium of Olympia. The distance between the two balbides is 192.28m; hence it was equal to the length of one stadion.
Aerial photo (from the W)
Aerial photo (from the Ε)
Ground plan
It is estimated that the Stadium could accommodate 30 to 40,000 spectators, who watched the Games sitting on the ground, at least for most part of Antiquity.
Aerial photo (from the Ε)
Judges’ stand
Judges’ stand
Reconstruction / drawing
Altar of Demeter Hamyne
Altar of Demeter Hamyne
At the south side of the Stadium stood out the platform of the Hellanodikai. On the north slope of the stadium, the altar of Demeter Hamyne was located; her priestess was the only woman allowed to attend the games.
Panoramic view
The “Krypte Stoa” towards the sanctuary
The “Krypte Stoa” towards the stadium
The “Krypte Stoa”
In the late 3rd c. BC, the monumental entrance to the Stadium, the so-called Krypte was built that connected the Stadium with the sanctuary.
Hippodrome / hypothetical location
Ground plan
uilt in the 5th c. BC to house horse and chariot racing events. Its exact location has not been confirmed; as for its form, evidence is provided by the traveller Pausanias.
Photo of the monument (from the E)
Photo of the monument (from the E)
Ground plan
Reconstuction/ Elevation
Baths were essential for cleansing the athletes’ bodies after training or a competition. The earliest bathing facilities were built before the mid-5th c. BC on the bank of the river Kladeos.
Aerial photo (from the W)
Photo of the monument (from the SE)
Ground plan
Reconstruction / model
Reconstruction / drawing
Small Doric temple erected in the early 4th c. BC in which the cult of the mother of the gods Rhea or Cybele was practiced.
Panoramic view
Photo of the monument
Photo of the monument
Photo of the monument
Ground plan and reconstruction / drawing
Reconstruction / model
Circular building dedicated by Philipp II of Macedon to the sanctuary of Zeus following his victory at Chaeronea (338 BC). His son, Alexander, added chryselephantine statues in its interior portraying members of his family.
Panoramic view
Photo of statues bases (from the W)
Ground plan
Reconstruction / model
Bronze statues of Zeus created since the 4th c. BC, financed from the fines imposed upon athletes who broke their oath and cheated during the Games. They were mounted in front of the Stadium’s entrance, serving as an incentive for the contestants to refrain from misconduct.
Panoramic view
Aerial photo (from the NE)
Aerial photo (from the NE)
Aerial photo (from the S)
Photo of the monument (from the NE)
Photo of the monument (from the W)
Ground plan
Reconstruction / model
A building located outside the Altis precinct, intended for the lodging of official visitors. It was built around 330 BC by Leonidas of Naxos.
Panoramic view
Photo of the monument (from the N)
Photo of the monument (from the S)
Ground plan
Reconstruction / model
reconstruction / drawing
ΜAn elongated building dating back to the mid-4th c. BC. It owes its name to its acoustics. It separated the Stadium from the sacred Altis. On a symbolic level, it signified the detachment of the Games from their original religious character.
Panoramic view
Photo of the monument
Photo of the monument
Photo of the monument
Photo of the monument
Ground plan
Reconstruction / model
Built in the 3rd c. BC outside the Altis sacred enclosure, like the rest of the buildings erected after the Classical period to serve the needs of the large numbers of athletes and spectators. The Palaestra is an almost square structure; it consists of a central courtyard, where athletic training took place, surrounded by four porticos.
Panoramic view
Photo of the monument (from the NE)
Photo of the monument (from the N)
Ground plan
Built in stages during the Hellenistic period for the preparation of the athletes in the footraces and the pentathlon events.
Photo of the monument (from the SE)
Reconstruction / drawing
Reconstruction / model
Monumental fountain house built around 160 BC at Herodes Atticus’s expense, a valuable donation that offered solution to the water supply problem of the sanctuary, particularly during the Olympic Games.
Interactive application for Ancient Olympia, Common Grounds.
