Olympia was the most glorious sanctuary of ancient Greece, dedicated to Zeus. It was the site of the Olympic Games, which were held as part of the festival of the Olympia.
Olympia was also known as Altis, meaning Sacred Grove. It was built on the northern bank of the Alpheios River. Traces of human presence in the area date back to the Neolithic period. Initially, it was a rural settlement, but gradually it evolved into the greatest religious center of the ancient world.
For about a thousand years, Olympia was home to the chryselephantine (gold and ivory) statue of Zeus, crafted by Phidias, which was considered in antiquity as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The statue was 12 meters tall and had a wooden core, but was adorned on the outside with gold, ivory, silver, rock crystal, and semi-precious stones.
The beginning of the Olympic Games is traditionally dated to 776 BC, and they were held every four years. However, they likely started much earlier, according to legend, when Pelops defeated King Oenomaus of Pisa in a chariot race, marking the origin of the games.
Over time, various religious and secular buildings were constructed, and by the 2nd century AD, Olympia had taken on the form we know today. The oldest building is the Temple of Hera, and the newest is the Nymphaeum. During the Roman period, many buildings were completed or renovated, as the Romans continued to hold the games without interruption.
The sanctuary remained active during the early Christian era, under Emperor Constantine the Great. In 392 AD, the last Olympic Games were held, and shortly afterward, the Byzantine emperor Theodosius I officially banned them as they were considered pagan. Under Theodosius II, the sanctuary was completely destroyed in 426 AD