The site of Olympia has been used since the 3rd millenary BC. The sanctuary, dedicated to Zeus, dates back from ca. 1000 BC. Buildings are from the archaic…
The statue of Hermes (340-330 BC), by sculptor Praxilates. Hermes, messenger of the gods, is charged by Zeus to take infant Dyonisos to the Nymphs who were…
Back: entrance to the Stadion.
Left: bases of Zanes (plural of Zeus), 4th-1st century BC. Statues of Zeus were erected there thanks to the fine gathered from…
Left: bases of Zanes (plural of Zeus), 4th-1st century BC. Statues of Zeus were erected there thanks to the fine gathered from…
Entrance of the Stadion.
Stadion, 5th century BC, 192x29m, capacity 45000. The start and finish lines are still visible.
Hera's altar: the Olympic flame is lit here.
Temple of Zeus, 470-457 BC, model for Doric temples. It used to hold the statue of Zeus made of gold and ivory, one of the 7 wonder of the world. Destroyed by…
West pediment of the temple of Zeus: battle of the Lapiths and the Centaurs.
The centaurs were invited to the king of the Lapiths' weddng but became drunk and…
The centaurs were invited to the king of the Lapiths' weddng but became drunk and…
East pediment of the temple of Zeus: the chariot race of Pelops and Oinamaos.
In this fundamental myth of Olympia, Oinamaos, king of Pisa, was prophetically…
In this fundamental myth of Olympia, Oinamaos, king of Pisa, was prophetically…
Statue of Nike, an offering to Zeus after the victory of the Messenians and Naupactians against the Spartans in 421 BC. Stood at a corner of the temple of…
Workshop of Phideias, 5th century BC, converted to a Christian basilica in the 5th century AD. Here the gold and ivory statue of Zeus, along with many others,…
Pheidias' personal cup.
Clay moulds for making garment folds, found in Pheidias' workshop, used to make the statue of Zeus.
Philippeion, 4th century BC, built by Philip II of Macedonia, finished by Alexander the Great.
Leonidaion, end of 4th century BC, built to accommodate the officials.
The gymnasion (2nd century BC), which was used as a training facility for foot race, discus and javelin throwiing
The palaestra, part of the gymnasium, early 2nd century BC.
Nymphaion, 2nd century BC. Monumental fountain/aqueduct built by Herodes Atticus. It solved water supplies problems encountered during the games. Statues…
Marble Corinthian pilaster, 2nd century BC, from the Nymphaion.
Statues from the Nymphaion. The bull statue was given by Herodes Atticus' wife.
