Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games
In the 10th century BC, Olympia was a sanctuary for the worship of Zeus, father of the twelve Olympian gods. Later it became a major religious and sports centre in ancient Greece with games held every 4 years from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. Olympia was an important panhellenic centre which attracted people from right across the Greek world and which helped to build a sense of Greek identity.
It is one of the rapidly flourishing touristic centres in Peloponnese near Athens.Kyllini is a village and a port in Ilia, in the northeastern part of Peloponnese, famous for the thermal springs. Inhabited by Arcadian people, who moved fromMt. Kyllini.
In 1204 , the Franks created a new town, Glanentza, which boomed as it was one of the biggest ports in the Mediterranean Sea. From 1220 -1223 Helmoutsi Castle was constructed. Konstantinos Paleologos , received it as a dowry, and in 1432, destroyed it to face pirates..
Olympic Games, Olympism, Olympic Spirit. Ancient Olympia is expecting you to explore it to the western Peloponnese, in the beautiful valley of Alfeios river, in the valley of Gods.
There you can find the Temple of Zeus, the Father of Gods.Ancient Olympia , at the footsteps of Kronios Hill, between Alfeios and Kladeus river, despite the isolated location, was the most important and religious centre.