Olympia - The Archaeological Site and the Museums - Olympia Vikatou

Ancient Olympia is a sacred place. Civility, quiet
concentration, a smiling plain amidst low peaceful hills,
protected from the savage north wind, from the hot south wind,
and below, the sea, from which flows the moist maritime air,
rising up along the valley of the Alpheios. There is no more
inspiring place in Greece that can so sweetly and with such
persistence encourage peace and reconciliation. Olympia,the most
brilliant, the most revered panhellenic Sanctuary, dedicated to
Zeus, father of gods and mankind, is near the western coast of
the Peloponnese, in the magic valley of the river Alpheios, in
the most beautiful place in Greece according to Lysias.
The
historical course of the Sanctuary is inextricably bound to the
Olympic Games, which were held every four years under the
watchful eye of the ruling god, Zeus the Thunderer. Indeed,
Olympia owes her uniqueness and her splendour to these Games,
which, with their ideals, for more than a thousand years forged
generations and generations of Greeks, giving a new dimension to
human nature. This archaeological guide is a must for anyone
exploring this ancient place.