Ancient Olympia

HERE, IT ALL BEGAN

The Archaeological Museum of Olympia

The Archaeological Museum of Olympia, one of the most important museums in Greece, presents the long history of the most celebrated sanctuary of antiquity, the sanctuary of Zeus, father of both gods and men, where the Olympic games were born. The museum’s permanent exhibition contains finds from the excavations in the sacred precinct of the Altis dating from prehistoric times to the Early Christian period. Among the many precious exhibits the sculpture collection, for which the museum is most famous, the bronze collection, the richest collection of its type in the world, and the large terracottas collection, are especially noteworthy. The museum building comprises exhibition rooms, auxiliary spaces and storerooms. The vestibule and twelve exhibition rooms contain objects excavated in the Altis. The auxiliary spaces (lavatories) are located in the museum’s east wing; a separate building between the museum and the archaeological site houses a book and souvenir shop. Finally, part of the east wing and the basement are dedicated to storage and conservation of terracottas, bronze, stone, mosaics and minor objects.

The Museum of the History of the Ancient Olympic Games

In view of the Olympic Games “ATHENS 2004” the abandoned “Old Museum of Olympia”, as it was informally called after the removal of its exhibits, is undergoing complete restoration and on March 24, 2004 it officially begins to function as the Museum of the History of the Olympic Games of Antiquity. The exhibition deals with important chapters – milestones in the over a thousand-year history of the Olympia and the other pan-Hellenic games (Pythia, Isthmia, Nemea and Panathenaia) such as: the prehistory of the sport, the beginning of the games in Olympia, Zeus and his worship, Elis and its role in the organization of the games and the preparation of the athletes, women and sports, the events, the winners of the games, etc. One of the peculiarities of the Museum is that its archaeological exhibits come not only from Olympia but also from many more important archaeological sites, historical sites and ancient cities of Greece. The exhibition at the Old Museum of Olympia is the necessary continuation of the story of the Sanctuary of Zeus of Olympia, which is told by the exhibition at the New Archaeological Museum of Olympia.

Museum of the Modern Olympic Games

The Museum of Modern Olympic Games in Olympia was inaugurated in 1961 by the philatelist George Papastefanou-Provatakis who decided to exhibit his personal collection of souvenirs and memorabilia from modern Olympic Games. From 1961 to 1972 the Museum was called «Athlofiloteliko Olympic Museum». On the 28th of March, 1964, the Museum was donated to the Hellenic Olympic Committee and Papastefanou was appointed director. Papastefanou who was inspired by the Olympic Spirit, devoted his life to the development of the Museum and gradually his personal collection was enriched with other items. In 1968 the construction of a new building began and on July 27, 1972 the new Museum of Modern Olympic Games, with a surface of 400 m2 was inaugurated. The Museum of Modern Olympic Games includes rare photographs, medals, certificates, stamps and other artifacts of modern Olympic history. The museum is currently under renovation.