A few words about the site of Ancient Olympia
Olympia, one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece, was in ancient times the most important religious and athletic center, an institution with nationwide radiation and glory from antiquity to today. Its fame rests upon the Olympic Games, the Olympics, which were held every four years in honor of Zeus, in classical times, comparable in importance to the Pythian Games, held in Delphi. In Olympia was the gold and ivory statue of Zeus, made by Pheidias, which was known in antiquity as one of the 7 wonders of the world.
In the Archaeological Museum is the statue of Hermes of Praxiteles, one of the most important exhibits of the museum. God rests on a tree trunk. In his left hand, the little Dionysus. The Greek beauty, balance, art. During Roman times, the statue had interventions when transferred to Iron. Today, the museum of Olympia, except Mercury, there are findings from excavations in the sacred area of the Altis. Exhibits from prehistoric times to early Christian times, the most important reports of the sculptures, home and chariot race of Pelops and Oenomaus and the Winged Victory of Paionios.
The ancient stadium has taken the form, we see today, in the early 5th century. BC, when the great temple of Zeus was built . In antiquity, southern of the stadium was the hippodrome .
The Sanctuary of Zeus, father of the gods, temples and buildings directly related to worship, but also buildings for hospitality for the Olympic Games: sports facilities, auxiliary buildings, utilitarian and administrative, but also secular buildings. A central part of the Altis, the sacred grove, where was developing the core of the sanctuary.
In the same area there are buildings, bath complexes and villas, such as the famous mansion built by Nero when he lived in Olympia to take part in the games. When Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, the Olympic Games gradually lost their importance after longer regarded as a pagan celebration. Finally, in 393 AD Emperor Theodosius prohibited the conduction of the games. Since then Ancient Olympia never lived again grandeur and glamor,by beeing the center of the organization the Olympic Games. On August 18th 2004, the ancient stadium of Olympia lived again moments of glory, after 1611 years, and hosted the shot put event of men and women in the context of the modern Olympic Games in Athens.
