Ancient Olympia

Ancient Olympia

Ancient Olympia is known as the birthplace of the Olympic games in honour of Zeus. The games were held every four years dating back to about 776bc. The games were abolished by Theodosius I, as an act of paganism.
The Olympic flame of the modern-day Olympic Games is lit by reflection of sunlight in a parabolic mirror in front of the Temple of Hera and then transported by a torch to the place where the games are held. When the modern Olympics came to Athens in 2004, the men’s and women’s shot put competition was held at the restored Olympia stadium.
The distance from Pyrgos is 20 km, about 50 km SW of Lampeia, W of Tripoli and Arcadia and 4 km north of Krestena and N of Kyparissia and Messenia. The highway passes north of the ancient ruins. A reservoir is located 2 km southwest, damming up the Alfeios River. The area is hilly and mountainous, most of the area within Olympia is forested.

Useful Numbers

Town Hall 26240 22549, 22250
Taxi Station 26240 22555
Museum 26240 29119