ANCIENT OLYMPIA

This sacred place is where, in ancient times Zeus was worshipped. The birthplace of the Olympic Games, which took place every four years. Athletes from all the ancient cities of Greece participated in the games.

The Olympic Games were the most important event in the times of Ancient Greece. Even wars would stop in order for the games to take place. The Olympic Games had no financial rewards, the prize for the winning athletes was a wreath made from an olive branch and the glory of victory. The winning athletes were honored in the same way as heroes of war.

The sacred site of Ancient Olympia was pillaged by Roman Emperors Cilla and Nero, and later by tribes of barbarians who did not respect the value of the temples and buildings.

The Christians, on the orders of Theodosius, destroyed the temples where the gods of Olympus were worshipped, and burned and melted all the copper statues and urns. Later catastrophic earthquakes destroyed all that had remained and the floods of the river Alfios covered the ruins. They were later discovered in archaeological surveys.

Programme

• Archaeological Site (stadium, temples, gymnasiums, home of the Olympic Flame)
• Archaeological Museum (statues, urns, Praxitellis statue of Hermes)
• Swimming in Zaharo Beach
• Killini Castle