Brilliant Bruins Study Abroad 

Olympia is best known as the site of the ancient Olympic Games that are said to have begun in 776 BC. The fertile region of Olympia is located in a valley in Elis in the western Peloponnese near the Alpheus River. This sanctuary was not only an athletic center but was of extreme religious significance to the Greeks. Ancient Olympia was home to many incredible temples, monuments, altars, and statues that emphasized this sanctuary’s importance to the Greek world. One amazing temple was the temple dedicated to Zeus that housed Phidias’ magnificent chryselephantine statue of the god. Other structures include the Doric Heraeum, Phillip II’s Philippeion, and even a Christian church. Visitors can still run in the stadium where the games took place and view the statues dedicated to victors. The Archaeological Museum of Olympia houses a marvelous collection that spans from prehistoric times to the Early Christian era. Perhaps the most impressive pieces in the museum are the awe-inspiring pediments from the Temple of Zeus. While the influence of Ancient Olympia still impacts us today, the modern village is rather quaint. The lovely modern town has many fantastic restaurants, tourist shops, and hotels, and a very vibrant nightlife. Whether walking down the streets of downtown Olympia or through the ancient sanctuary's Altis it is incredible to spend time in a place with such extreme historical and modern significance.