Ancient Olympia, Greece – Gallery

Close-up of an ancient stone statue depicting a humanoid figure with a pensive expression and distinct facial features, displaying signs of wear and age.
The Cerberus of Hades metope from the pronaos of the Temple of Zeus. Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese Greece. Now in the Archaeological museum, this metope depicts Heracles pulling up from the underworld the fearsome three-headed dog Cerberus, the guardian of the its gates.
A classical marble relief sculpture depicting a scene with three figures: a woman on the left, a muscular male figure in the centre preparing to strike, and another male figure on the right wielding an object, all against a textured background.
The golden apples of the Hesperides metope from the pronaos of the Temple of Zeus. Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese Greece. Now in the Archaeological museum, this is the best preserved of the metopes and depicts Atlas having returned from heaven holding out apples to Herakles. Athena, as a peaceful goddess, with an easy movement of her hand helps the hero who still supports the sky.
A collection of ancient marble sculptures depicting figures in dynamic poses, showcasing classical artistry and craftsmanship.
View of the Temple of Zeus western pediment frieze. Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese Greece. Now in the Archaeological museum, the frieze depicts the Centauromachy, the struggle between the Centaurs and the Lapiths. Dominating the centre of the frieze is the God Apollo.
A display of ancient sculptures and statues in a museum setting, showcasing figures of humans and animals, all made of stone, against a neutral background.
Part view of the frieze on the eastern pediment of the Temple of Zeus. Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese Greece. Now in the Archaeological museum, the frieze depicts the preparations for the chariot race between Pelops and Oenomaus. The figure of Zeus is in the centre, the tallest point of the pediment.
A display of classical sculptures depicting a dramatic scene with muscular figures and intricate details in a museum setting.
View of the Temple of Zeus western pediment frieze. Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese Greece. Now in the Archaeological museum, the frieze depicts the Centauromachy, the struggle between the Centaurs and the Lapiths. Dominating the centre of the frieze is the God Apollo.
Remnants of ancient ruins with stone walls, columns, and archaeological features surrounded by greenery under a blue sky.
Ruins of a three aisled Early Christian Basilica built over the ruins of the workshop of Pheidias. Ancient Olympia, Greece. The basilica dates from around 451 AD. The workshop of the great Greek sculptor Pheidias was built with same dimensions as the cella of the Temple of Zeus and was where the great sculptor created the colossal 12 metre high chryselephantine statue of Zeus. Excavation in the 1950’s revealed objects belonging to Pheidias, including tools and clay moulds for the statue and a cup bearing his name on the base.
Ruins of an ancient structure surrounded by grass and trees on a sunny day.
Headquarters of a sports club that athletics belonged to during Roman times. Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese. Greece. It was built in the 1st century AD and most likely dedicated to Herakles.
Ancient ruins surrounded by trees and greenery, with a hill in the background under a clear blue sky.
Part view of the Leonidaion, a large rectangular hostel for officials built around 330 BC. Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese. Greece. It was established by a Leonidas, the Naxian and consisted of an Ionic exterior of 138 columns, with a central peristyle court with 44 Doric columns. The Romans added a decorative open air swimming pool in the central court when the building served as a house for Roman officers.
Ruins of ancient stone structures with decorative columns surrounded by lush greenery and hills under a clear blue sky.
Part view of the ruins of the colonnade of the 4th century BC South Portico. Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese. Greece. The Portico formed the southern boundary of the Sanctuary with the façade facing towards the river Alpheios. It consisted of an interior Doric colonnade and an outer Corinthian one.
Ancient ruins with stone columns and foundations surrounded by grass and trees under a clear blue sky.
Part view of the southern house or wing of the Bouleuterion, the Olympic Council House. Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese. Greece. Dating from the 6th – 5th centuries BC, the building consisted of two long narrow apsidal houses set parallel to each other separated by an open square courtyard.
Ruins of an ancient site featuring stone structures and a lone column, surrounded by trees and greenery.
The preserved Pronaos mosaic floor of the great 5th century BC Temple of Zeus. Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese. Greece. The Temple’s massive columns lay toppled in the ground, unmoved since being destroyed by massive earthquake in the 6th century AD. The Temple of Zeus once housed the 12 metre high golden statue of Zeus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Olympia was the site of the ancient Olympic Games and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ancient ruins featuring a tall column surrounded by fragments of stone structures and greenery under a clear blue sky.
West side view (rear) of the lone standing column of the 5th century BC Temple of Zeus. Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese. Greece. The Temple’s massive Doric columns lay toppled in the ground, unmoved since being destroyed by massive earthquake in the 6th century AD. The Temple of Zeus once housed the 12 metre high golden statue of Zeus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
Ancient ruins featuring large stone blocks and a standing column under a clear blue sky.
Toppled ruins and the lone standing Doric column of the 5th century BC Temple of Zeus. Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese. Greece. The Temple’s massive columns lay toppled in the ground, unmoved since being destroyed by massive earthquake in the 6th century AD. The Temple of Zeus once housed the 12 metre high golden statue of Zeus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
Ancient stone inscription with Greek lettering in an archaeological site, surrounded by ruins and greenery under a blue sky.
Ancient Greek inscription amongst the ruins of the Temple of Zeus. Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese. Greece.
Ancient ruins featuring stone structures and a partially intact column, surrounded by trees and grass.
Part of the tall Ionic column from the Ptolemy II and Arsione monument at the front of the Echo Stoa. Ancient Olympia, Greece. The Echo Stoa also known as Stoa Poikile, dates from 350 BC and formed the boundary between the sanctuary and the Olympic stadium.
Ruined stone structures with a grassy area and trees in the background, set against a hillside under a clear blue sky.
The ruins of the Treasury of Gela (Geloans), Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese. Greece. Dating from the 6th and 5th centuries, the Treasury is one of at least twelve small Doric temple-like buildings donated by the Greek city states and their colonies in South Italy and Sicily (Magna Greacia). They were dedicated to the sanctuary and used to store offerings, treasures and antiquities.
View of an ancient sports field with a stone pedestal in the foreground, leading towards a tree-lined background under a clear blue sky.
The finish line, on the west side of the Olympic stadium, nearest the entrance. Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese. Greece. The restored Olympic Stadium is the third and final version in a series and is dated from the 5th century BC. The stadium had a seating capacity of 40,000 in which spectators, men only, sat on the ground of the artificial banks. The stadium track between the starting and finishing lines is 600 Olympic feet apart – 192.27 metres.
An open field with a sandy track, bordered by green hills and trees under a clear blue sky.
South West view of the Olympic Stadium, Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese. Greece. This is the third and final version in a series of stadiums and is dated from the 5th century BC. The stadium had a seating capacity of 40,000 in which spectators, men only, sat on the ground of the artificial banks. Close to the track in the middle of the south embankment, is the Exedra of the Hellanodikai, a marble enclosure where the judges sat. The stadium track between the starting and finishing lines is 600 Olympic feet apart – 192.27 metres.
Two people walking on a dry and open ancient sports field surrounded by greenery and hills under a clear blue sky.
North West view of the Olympic Stadium, Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese. Greece. This is the third and final version in a series of stadiums and is dated from the 5th century BC. The stadium had a seating capacity of 40,000 in which spectators, men only, sat on the ground of the artificial banks. Close to the track in the middle of the south embankment, is the Exedra of the Hellanodikai, a marble enclosure where the judges sat. The stadium track between the starting and finishing lines is 600 Olympic feet apart – 192.27 metres.
Stone archway leading through ancient ruins with a pathway and clear blue sky.
View of the vaulted entrance to the stadium. Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese. Greece. The entrance was built during the 3rd century BC and built beneath the terraces to link the sanctuary to the stadium. Athletes, judges, official and priests entered the Stadium through this passageway, whereas the spectators entered from the embankments.
Ancient stone ruins with an archway surrounded by trees and scattered stones, set in a dusty landscape.
Stone bases of the Zanes leading to the Olympic stadium entrance. Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese. Greece. The Zanes were bronze statues of Zeus erected and financed by the proceeds of the fines levied on athletes who broke the code of the ancient Olympic Games. The name of the offending athlete was inscribed on the base. The Zanes were placed in a visible place at the entrance to the stadium as an example to those competing in the Games.
Ancient ruins with stone steps and a column, surrounded by tall trees in a grassy area.
The 4th century BC flight of steps that lead up to the Terrace of the Treasuries. Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese. Greece.The terrace accommodated a dozen treasuries, dating from the 6th and 5th centuries. Built by the Greek colonies, cities of Magna Greacia, each treasury took the form of a small Doric temple, with a cella and pronaos and were dedicated to the sanctuary and used to store offerings, treasures and antiquities.
Ruins of ancient stone structures surrounded by greenery, featuring columns and decorative architectural remnants on a dry landscape.
Ruins of the Nymphaeum or Exedra of Herodes Atticus, Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese. Greece. The monumental two storey decorated fountain – aqueduct was donated by Herodes Atticus and his wife Regilla to the Sanctuary around the 2nd century AD.
Ancient ruins featuring stone columns surrounded by greenery.
View of the Temple of Hera. Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese. Greece. It is dedicated to the Greek goddess Hera a wife of Zeus and dates from around 600 BC. One of the earliest examples of monumental temple constructions in Greece, the structure was built in Doric order, with six columns at each end and 16 along the sides. The columns were originally made of wood and gradually were replaced by stone versions. The famous 330 BC statue of Hermes by the Greek master sculptor Praxiteles was found in 1877 in the cella of the temple.
Ancient ruins featuring four standing columns and one architrave, surrounded by green trees and a clear blue sky.
The 4th century BC circular Philippeion, a votive monument dedicated to Zeus. Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese. Greece. The building was named and begun by King Philip of Macedon after his victory at Chaironeia in 338 BC and completed by his son Alexander the Great. Part of the stylobate and three columns of the structure have been restored, originally it had 18 Ionic exterior columns and 9 engaged columns with Corinthian capitals in the cella.
Ancient Greek columns in a historical site, surrounded by trees and ruins under a clear blue sky.
The 4th century BC circular Philippeion, a votive monument dedicated to Zeus. Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese. Greece. The building was named and begun by King Philip of Macedon after his victory at Chaironeia in 338 BC and completed by his son Alexander the Great. Part of the stylobate and three columns of the structure have been restored, originally it had 18 Ionic exterior columns and 9 engaged columns with Corinthian capitals in the cella.
Ancient ruins set in a grassy area surrounded by trees and a hillside under a clear blue sky.
Part view of the Kronion Thermae or Baths, a large building constructed over many phases. Ancient Olympia, Greece. This is a large building complex that was built over an existing bathing establishment of the Hellenistic period. The baths were destroyed by an earthquake during the 3rd century AD, but were rebuilt and expanded. During the 5th century AD the building was used for producing farm products and as a ceramic workshop.
A tall marble column situated in an ancient archaeological site, surrounded by greenery and stone ruins.
The marble base pedestal of Paeonios Victory (Nike). Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese. Greece. The base supported the 5th century BC statue of the winged Nike. Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese. Greece. The 9 metre tall triangular marble pedestal is in front of the southeast corner of the Temple of Zeus. The statue of Nike, by the sculptor Paionios of Mende, is a masterpiece of Greek Art is housed in the museum.
Ancient stone columns surrounded by trees at an archaeological site, showcasing remnants of classical architecture.
Section of the Doric colonnade of the Palaestra, dated to the 3rd century BC. Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese, Greece. The Palaestra is a large square building, with a central court surrounded by a Doric colonnade with 19 columns on each side and numerous side rooms used for oiling of bodies, dressing, bathing and lecturing. The central court was where the athletes practised wrestling, boxing, the pankration and jumping. Olympia was the site of the ancient Olympic Games and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ancient Greek ruins with weathered columns lining a dusty pathway surrounded by greenery and blue sky with clouds.
Section of the Doric colonnade of the Palaestra, dated to the 3rd century BC. Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese, Greece. The Palaestra is a large square building, with a central court surrounded by a Doric colonnade with 19 columns on each side and numerous side rooms used for oiling of bodies, dressing, bathing and lecturing. The central court was where the athletes practised wrestling, boxing, the pankration and jumping.
A serene view of ancient ruins featuring stone walls and columns, with a pathway leading to an arched entrance. The surrounding area is lush with trees, set against a misty backdrop.