Excavations
Research and excavations in Olympia The history of the excavations at Olympia resembles the gradual deciphering of a huge palimpsest; each excavation period “scrapes” the surface of time to reveal a new monument, an archaeological remnant on which religion, politics, philosophy, the arts, human ideals and passions mingled and left their indelible mark The Plain […]
Education in Olympia
Educational programs in Olympia Ancient Olympia, as one of the most important cultural destinations in the world, is a living cell of education. The Ephorate of Antiquities of Elis, responsible for the operation of the Archaeological Site and the Museums of Olympia, implements a series of educational activities, offering students of all levels the opportunity […]
Chronological presentation
The Sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia A Historical inspection Introduction The sanctuary of Olympia, nestled in the fertile valley where the Alpheios and Kladeos rivers meet, constitutes one of the most important Sanctuaries of the ancient world. Known as the “navel of Hellenism,” it was the sacred site for the ancient Olympic Games, held from 776 B.C. […]
Map and legend
Temples and sacred venues The core religious structures including temples, altars, hero-shrines, and victory dedications. Temples: 4: Temple of Hera, 7: Metroon, 15: Temple of Zeus. Altars & Shrines: 5: Sanctuary of Pelops (Pelopion), 16: Altar of Zeus, 23: Heroon. Dedications: 3: Philippeion (Monument of Philip II), 8: Zanes, 12: Monument of Ptolemy II and Arsinoe, 17: Dedication of the Achaeans, […]
Excavations in Olympia
The Discovery and Early Attempts The discovery of the sanctuary of Olympia is attributed to the British traveler Richard Chandler in 1766, who first identified the site of the ancient sanctuary, which until then had been called “Antilalos”. Interest in the area was intensified by the work of J.J. Winckelmann, who envisioned the discovery of […]
Interactive Map of Olympia
Web Creator
This website was created and is updated at no cost for the Archaeological Museum of Olympia by Konstantinos V. Antonopoulos, archaeologist of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Elis, within the framework of his Scientific Leave (October – November 2022), after relevant approval by the Head of the Service, Mrs Erofili – Iris Kollia […]
History of the Museum
History of the Archaeological Museum of Olympia A Journey Through Light and Time The “Syngreion”: The First Home of the Treasures The museum’s history dates back to the late 19th century, when the need to house the priceless finds from the Sanctuary of Zeus became urgent. Between 1883 and 1887, the first museum of Olympia […]