Olympia Tours

Olympia is a sanctuary of ancient Greece in Elis, is known for having been the site of the Olympic Games in classical times. The Olympic Games is dating back possibly further than 776 BC. The Olympic flame of the modern-day Olympic Games is lit by reflection of sunlight in a parabolic mirror at the restored Olympia stadium and then transported by a torch to the place where the games are held. The sanctuary, known as the Altis, consists of an unordered arrangement of various buildings such as the Temple of Hera (or Heraion/Heraeum) ,Temple of Zeus, the Pelopion and the area of the altar, where the sacrifices were made, the hippodrome and later the stadium. Olympia is also known for the gigantic ivory and gold statue of Zeus that used to stand there, sculpted by Pheidias, which was named one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World by Antipater of Sidon. The area is hilly and mountainous; most of the area within Olympia is forested.