Ancient Olympia

Ancient Olympia, the most imposing and world-famous sacred site of the western Peloponnese, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the homonymous Municipality of Ancient Olympia in Elis, built in a lush and idyllic valley between the Alpheios and Kladeos rivers at an altitude of 60 meters, which rightly constitutes one of the most important cultural symbols of humanity as the birthplace of the Olympic Games. A landmark of the area is the holding of the first recorded Olympic Games in 776 BC in honor of Zeus, an institution that established the sacred truce, united the ancient Greek world and continues to inspire the global community to this day through the Lighting of the Olympic Flame that takes place in the same exact place. Today, Ancient Olympia enchants visitors with its magnificent archaeological site, dominated by the Altis (the sacred grove), the remains of the gigantic Temple of Zeus —which once housed the Chryselephantine Statue of Zeus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world— the Temple of Hera, the ancient Stadium, and the world-class Archaeological Museum with masterpieces such as the Hermes of Praxiteles and the Victory of Paeonios. With its trademark vibrant modern settlement that offers excellent tourist infrastructure, museums dedicated to the history of the Games, and beautiful natural landscapes such as the nearby Foloi forest, it is a top destination for lovers of archaeology, cultural tourism, and alternative activities such as hiking and cycling.