OLYMPIA TOWN

Ancient Olympia is a small town in the regional unit called Ilia on the western Peloponnese peninsula in Greece. The population is about 1,300 people and the town welcomes more than 1,200,000 visitors per year. The area lies in the beautiful valley of the Alpheios river, is hilly and mountainous and the most part is forested.

Ancient Olympia is the birthplace of the Olympic Games and it is famous for the nearby archaeological site of the same name. The site is a major tourist attraction, as well as the museums and the town itself.

Visiting Ancient Olympia for thousands of people is a life’s journey as the visitor has the chance to see some unique sculptures such as the sculpted decoration of the temple of Zeus (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World), the famous Hermes of Praxiteles and the statue of Nike of Paionios.

Most important sightseeings of Ancient Olympia :

• The Archaeological Site, one of the most important sites of Greece, which has been characterised by UNESCO as a Monument of International Cultural Inheritance.
• The Archaeological Museum that contains the most important statue collection, with outstanding those of Hermes by Praxitelis and Nike by Paionios.
• The thematic Museum of the History of the Ancient Olympic Games, which is presently hosted in the renovated building of the first Archaeological Museum of Olympia.
• The Museum of the Modern Olympic Games that contains an enormous number of collections from the Modern Olympic Games.
• The International Olympic Academy, the spiritual foundation of modern Olympism, which every year trains hundreds of members of the Olympic and sports movement.
• The Monument of Coubertin, the revivalist of the modern Olympic Games, where, according to his desire, his heart is embalmed.
• The Archimedes Museum of Ancient Greek Technology by Professor Kotsanas
• The new museum-educational center “DIG-IT” on Archeology and Excavation.
• The picturesque theatre of Drouva, in the heart of the pine forest, very close to the archaeological site.
• The Botanical Garden, located at the foot of Kronios Hill.

Sources: www.olympiagreece.gr – www.arxaiaolympia.gov.gr

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