Ancient Olympia and Ancient Elis. A journey through time to two of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. A sensual flashback to the magic of the past. Majestic temples, sanctuaries, and the site of the Olympic Games. Ancient Greek civilization at its peak. Ancient Olympia and Ancient Elis. These remarkable monuments of the prefecture of Ilia, in the Peloponnese, which -in part- were saved in time, inspire thousands of years later. The trip that follows is different from what you might make in Greece. That’s why it’s unique…
Our trip starts from Elis (or Ilis), one of the most important locations in the Peloponnese. A city-state that played a decisive role in the Olympic Games as it hosted them. According to Pausanias, it is placed on the left bank of the river Pinios and flows next to the gymnasium: “Through the city, the river Peneius is next to this gymnasium”.
According to mythology, the one who discovered it was Aethlios, the first king of Elis. Other great kings were Pelops, Oenomaus, and Ifitos. Elis was the city-state organizer of the Panhellenic Games, “The Olympia,” from 776 BC to 393 AD, and was inhabited by the Epeians. The Epeians came from Thessaly, mixed with the Kouretes. The root of their name comes from the verb “ἔπεμι,” which means to approach.
As part of the Olympic Games, the athletes who were due to take part had to be there and integrate a month in advance. Familiarize themselves with the locals and the rules. Be classified according to age and sport in the appropriate category. Elis, apart from its athletic reputation, was overflowing with elegance. It honored Zeus, Dionysus, Apollo, Aphrodite, Artemis, and Hades with its temples and sanctuaries. On top of that, the city was highly developed, hence its recognition as an independent kingdom during the Mycenaean era. She issued her own currency and was known for her equestrian competitions.
After many years, one of the most important locations not only in the Peloponnese but also in all of Greece began to shine again. Its ruins and remains were found in 1911, when the first excavations began by the Austrian archaeologist, Otto Walter. In 1968, after archaeological work, the city was finally restored to its fullest. Today, Elis is full of life. Surrounded by nature, it is one of the most dazzling archaeological sites in the country, allowing its visitors to take a special journey through time. Now the ancient city of Elis consists of the acropolis, the ancient theater, hosting various artistic events as well as the International Festival of Ancient Elis, but also the modern ancient Greek museum.
Ancient Olympia
After Elis, you meet Ancient Olympia, which was called Altis (meaning sacred grove). A masterpiece sanctuary dedicated to the god Zeus, and of course, the venue of the Olympic Games. In the area, traces of human life from the Neolithic period were found.
Its history troubled its scholars for years as it intrigued them to rediscover it. Everything they unearthed from the ancient city was another important stone for the completion of the picture we have until today. This is where the institution of the Olympic Games began, in 776 B.C. This is where the modern Games begin with the lighting ceremony of the flame. A journey through time, without any exaggeration.
The archaeological site – which is perhaps the most impressive in Greece from antiquity until today – is famous for its magnificent temples and the huge Stadium. Equally remarkable is the entrance of the Stadium, which is awe-inspiring as it prepares you for something you have never seen before.
The famous Temple of Zeus, which was built between 470-456 BC, the Temple of Hera, which is the oldest in the area, the Bouleuterion, the Prytaneion, where the goddess Hestia burned the Sacred Fire, the Stadium, the Gymnasium, and the Palaestra. You discover everything upon your arrival in Ancient Olympia.
Today, as in the past, Ancient Olympia is of particular importance due to its glorious history, making its visitors literally shudder from its magnificence. It is no coincidence that it flourished triumphantly in the 5th century, when it began to attract the “good” people of the time.
Politicians, philosophers, and artists found fertile ground there to share their great ideas. Next to the archaeological site, there is the Archaeological Museum of Ancient Olympia, with sensational works of art, placed in the best possible way to highlight them. A monumental work and feature of the museum is Hermes by Praxiteles, considered one of the most important sculptures of the late classical era. It depicts the god Hermes holding Dionysus in infancy with his left hand, while with his right hand, he is supposed to be holding – as it is not preserved in its entirety – a grape to occupy little Dionysus.
This trip to Ilia is a unique experience. A destination that gathers tourists from every corner of the earth. It is 268 km from Athens. In about 4 hours, you have… thrown back centuries. In a Greece that was a global point of reference. Today, in Ilia in the Region of Western Greece, there is a lot you can do.
Ancient Elis was one of the most important city-states in the Peloponnese that played a decisive role in hosting and organizing the Panhellenic Olympic Games from 776 BC to 393 AD. It was inhabited by the Epeians and served as the administrative center where athletes had to arrive a month before the Games to familiarize themselves with local rules and regulations. The city was also renowned for its temples dedicated to Zeus, Dionysus, Apollo, Aphrodite, Artemis, and Hades, as well as its equestrian competitions and independent currency during the Mycenaean era.
The first excavations of Ancient Elis began in 1911 under Austrian archaeologist Otto Walter. The city underwent extensive archaeological work and was fully restored in 1968. Ancient Olympia has been the subject of archaeological research for many years as scholars worked to uncover and piece together its fascinating history.
Today, Ancient Elis features several important structures including the acropolis, an ancient theater that hosts various artistic events and the International Festival of Ancient Elis, and a modern ancient Greek museum. The site is surrounded by nature and serves as one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Greece, allowing visitors to experience a journey through ancient Greek civilization.
Ancient Olympia, originally called Altis (meaning sacred grove), features several magnificent structures including the famous Temple of Zeus built between 470-456 BC, the Temple of Hera which is the oldest temple in the area, the Bouleuterion, the Prytaneion where the Sacred Fire burned, the Stadium with its impressive entrance, the Gymnasium, and the Palaestra. All these structures showcase the architectural mastery of ancient Greece.
Ancient Olympia is considered the most impressive archaeological site in Greece because it was the sacred sanctuary dedicated to Zeus and the birthplace of the Olympic Games institution in 776 BC. The site contains magnificent temples, a huge Stadium, and other remarkable structures that have been preserved from antiquity. It remains the symbolic location where the modern Olympic Games begin with the lighting ceremony of the flame, connecting us directly to ancient Greek history.
Ancient Elis was the organizing city-state of the Olympic Games for over 1,000 years, from 776 BC to 393 AD. Athletes participating in the Panhellenic Games were required to arrive in Elis a month before the competition to integrate with the local population, familiarize themselves with the rules, and be classified according to age and sport. This made Elis the administrative and cultural hub of the ancient Olympic movement.
Archaeological excavations at Ancient Olympia have uncovered traces of human life dating back to the Neolithic period, along with the major structures of the sanctuary dedicated to Zeus. Scholars have continuously discovered important artifacts and architectural remains that have helped piece together the complete history and significance of this sacred site, making it essential to understanding ancient Greek civilization and the origins of the Olympic Games.
