Ancient Olympia is one of the most influential Greek sanctuaries, located in western Peloponnese and still the place where the Olympic Flame is lit for each Olympiad. The sanctuary of Zeus and the birthplace of the Olympic Games lies in a gentle and rich valley at the confluence of the rivers Alpheios and Kladeos. A landscape of impressive natural beauty, the whole valley was in ancient times thickly wooded and full of wild olive trees, from the leaves of which were made the wreaths that crowned the Olympian champions.

The centerpiece of the shrine, his gold, and ivory statue, crafted by Pheidias, stood 13.5m tall and was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It no longer exists but you will be able to admire firsthand the famous Hermes by Praxiteles. The ancient stadium was where the most important competitions took place and was built around the same time as the temple of Zeus, in the 5th century BC. Both the site and the museum offer a vivid picture of the splendor, the glory, and the breadth of a civilization that gave so much to the world.