Ancient Olympia

Departing from Athens in the direction of Corinth we pass through the Corinth Canal to Olympia, which is located in the western Peloponnese, in the beautiful valley of the river Alpheus and was the most glorious sanctuary of ancient Greece dedicated to Zeus and also was the birthplace of the Olympic Games, A landscape of great natural beauty, the whole valley was in ancient times thickly wooded and full of wild olive trees, from the leaves of which were made the wreaths that crowned the Olympian champions.

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. Throughout antiquity, each century added its own structures, which gradually formed the complex topography of the sanctuary: the sacred precinct of Zeus, namely the temenos of Altis, enclosed the temples, votive offerings, and structures related to the religious activities. Outside the enclosure lay the athletic venues, the officials’ quarters, the guesthouses and baths for athletes and visitors alike.

Highlights are: The temple of Hera – The temple of Zeus – The Philippeion – The Stadium of Olympia – The Bouleuterion

After your visit to the archaeological site, lunch will take place at a traditional restaurant.