Ancient Olympia

A memorable destination, the “most beautiful place” as described by the ancient poet Pindaros. It was the most significant spiritual, religious and athletic centre of the ancient world, in a location full of plane trees,pine trees, poplar trees and olive trees. It attracted people from all around the known world at the time, who visited Olympia to admire its monuments (temples, altars, statues). In ancient Olympia is where the Olympic games, the most significant athletic event of antiquity, where first created. They were held in Zeus’ honour. The place itself but also the religious and athletic events that were happening during the Olympic games were so sacred that every city would stop any war activity. Within the archaeological space we see the holy temple which was dedicated to the father of the gods, Zeus. In that temple there used to be one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the famous statue of Olympian Zeus (13m/42ft tall) which was sculpted by the famous sculptor Phidias. It is worth visiting the archaeological museum in which amongst others there is the famous sculpture of Hermes and the Infant Dionysus (Hermes of Praxiteles) in display.