Olympia, Greece

Situated in the west of the Peloponnese peninsula, Olympia is home to the original Olympic Games, making it one of the most renowned archaeological sites in the area. Boasting a tradition continued to this day, it features ruins of athletic facilities, as well as numerous other monuments and artifacts depicting the significance of the place.

Taking place every four years, the Olympic Games were first held in the sanctuary of Olympia, Greece, in 776 B.C. Honoring Zeus, the father of the twelve Olympian gods, it consisted of sports competitions among the representatives of the Greek cities. During Olympia sightseeing, you can actually catch a glimpse of the original field of some of the games, the Ancient Stadium of Olympia, with stone markers specifying the required distance.

Another significant landmark honoring Zeus in Olympia is the Temple of Zeus. The Doric temple was considered to be among the largest ones in all of Greece and featured thirteen columns lining the sides of the temple and six more on each end of it. The temple used to house the exceptional statue of Zeus seated on an elaborately decorated throne. The statue was actually one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Created by Phidias, the splendid piece of art reached a height of 12 meters (40 ft).

Make sure to add the Temple of Hera to your Olympia itinerary as well. Honoring the goddess of women, it is actually the location where the Olympic flame is lit several months before the games. Symbolizing peace, the flame was carried through the cities across Greece, making wars come to a halt and inviting people to participate in the few-day affair.