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Olympia 476 pictures 17.55 minutes HQ video Olympia is nestled at the heart of the flat river valley where the Alphios (Alpheus) and Kladios (Cladeus) rivers meet. The site lies at the foot of the low Kronion hill, covered by Aleppo pines and shrubs, evoking, albeit in a modern version, the Altis, the mystical grove consecrated to Zeus. The origins of Olympia date back to the end of the 2^nd millennium B.C., although the area had been settled since 2800 B.C., about a thousand years earlier. All of Hellas used to gather at the non-oracular sanctuary for the Olympiads, the games held every four years. All conflicts were suspended and a truce (the Olympic Truce) was declared to discuss and peacefully resolve disputes between the various p?leis during the games. The ruins are intertwined with ancient myths. The legend of the love story between the river god Alpheus and the nymph Arethusa, consumed in Syracuse, bears witness to the ideal ties between the Peloponnese and the Greeks of the western colonies. On the other hand, the myth of Pelops symbolizes the equally strong bonds that linked the sanctuary to remote Greek colonies. According to the myth, Pelops came from a distant eastern land and defeated the cruel king Oenomaus in a chariot-race to affirm the values of justice, humanity and respect for divine laws. As a reward for his pains, the region was named after him. Another myth recounts that Heracles brought the sacred olive branch from the land of the Hyperboreans and founded the Olympiads, the games held in honor of Zeus to celebrate the labors of Pelops. Palaistra The Palaistra (training area for wrestling and boxing) consists of a large square (66.35 x 66.75 meters) enclosed by a portico. Access to the Palaistra was through the Doric propylon in the northwestern corner. The Doric peristyle courtyard was flanked by 19 rooms preceded by Ionic columns. Philippeion A circular monopteral structure built by Philip II of Macedonia after the victory at Chaironea (338 B.C.). The structure was completed under Alexander the Great. While the outer peristasis was Ionic, the columns inside the building were Corinthian. Temple of Hera The temple of Hera (Heraion),one of the earliest examples of Doric architecture. Founded in 650 B.C. and rebuilt near the end of the same century, it was so highly venerated that it was continuously repaired and replaced if necessary. Pausanias, writing in the 2^nd century A.D., recounts that he saw one of the original wooden columns. Within the peristasis of 6 x 16 columns lies the pronaos distyle in antis and the cella, with four internal spur walls and eight columns that provided support to the flat roof. Stadium The current remains of the stadium date from 330-320 B.C., with the tribune and seats for the judges. The track in the stadium is 212.54 meters long, and 28.50 wide. The 45,000 spectators that the stadium could hold sat on the ground. During the Hellenistic period, the north-west corner was connected to the sanctuary by the Krypte. South Bath Between the 5^th century B.C. and the Severan period, it was frequently modified not only in form but also in use. It was probably also once used as the Olympian residence of the Roman Emperor Nero and as a luxurious bath complex that featured mosaics depicting marine motifs. Temple of Zeus Olympios The temple built in 470-460 B.C. by the architect Libon of Elis still undoubtedly retains a lot of its ancient charm. The largest temple of the Peloponnese (about 64 x 28 meters), it was built in shell limestone covered by imitation marble stucco. The temple stands on a sturdy crepidoma with three steps breached by an access ramp on the east side. The cella and other rooms as well as the impressive remains of the peristatis (6 x 13 columns) provide a good idea of the temple's imposing dimensions. Around 435 B.C., the famous colossal chryselephantine (gold and ivory) cult statue of Zeus by Phidias was placed in the cella. Leonidaion A large luxury hotel built by Leonidas of Naxos towards 350 B.C., to accommodate the famous athletes competing in the Olympic Games. In Roman times, the structure was converted into the official residence of the governor of the province of Achaia. The structure featured a peristyle courtyard and wings with rooms of various sizes. A splendid garden with fountains and a deep decorative canal rendered the vast 6000 square meter complex a real delight. Christiasn Basilica The Early Christian basilica (400-410 A.D.) was built over the workshop of the Athenian. Roman Baths The Roman hot bath complex the so-called Kladios Thermal baths, built under the Emperor Trajan. The Roman structure features mosaic flooring and rooms for both collective (Greek Baths) and individual baths. Roman buildings Gymnasion The remains of a large Hellenistic Gymnasion dating from the end of the 3^rd century B.C. The double portico on the east side of the structure has been spared by the swells of the Kladios. The portico, known as the xytos, was used for indoor training by sprinters and covers the distance one lap of 220 meters. Metroon A Doric peripteral temple hexastyle dating from the beginning of the 4^th century B.C., and converted to house the imperial cult in Roman times. Terrace of the Thesauroi Back to Greece Index