Archaeological Site of Olympia
Greece ·
Description
Olympia is where it all began. For over a thousand years, athletes from all Greece competed naked in Zeus's honor while wars paused. The original stadium, holding 45,000 spectators, still preserves the stone starting line. Zeus's temple ruins housed one of the Seven Wonders: his chryselephantine statue.
Why It's a World Heritage Site
Olympia was the most important Panhellenic sanctuary and birthplace of the Olympic Games since 776 BC. The site contains temple ruins, stadium, gymnasium and other buildings of universal significance.
UNESCO Criteria
Frequently Asked Questions
For being birthplace of the Olympic Games and ancient Greece's most important Panhellenic sanctuary.
It was inscribed in 1989 under criteria (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (vi).
At the Temple of Hera; the ceremony uses a parabolic mirror to light it with sunlight.
Only fallen columns; Zeus's statue was taken to Constantinople and destroyed in a fire.
Half day; the archaeological museum is excellent and complements the ruins.