Archaeological Museum of Olympia

About the museum

The Archaeological Museum of Olympia, also known as the New Museum to distinguish it from the older one, was built in 1966–1975 to designs by the architect Patroklos Karantinos. Until then the Old Museum, the Syngreion, had been in use. It had been erected with a donation from Andreas Syngros on the hill west of the Altis, but had been damaged by earthquakes. The continuous new finds from the excavations of the German Archaeological Institute in the sanctuary made a larger museum necessary.

Thirty years later, on the occasion of the Athens Olympic Games of 2004, the finds from the sanctuary, mainly the bronze objects and sculptures, were displayed in a new way. The museum presents the long history of the sanctuary of Zeus and the cradle of the Olympic Games, from prehistoric to early Christian times.

The sculpture collection includes masterpieces such as the pediments of the Temple of Zeus, with the myth of Pelops and the Centauromachy, the Nike of Paionios and the famous Hermes of Praxiteles. The collection of bronzes is outstanding too, the largest of its kind in the world, with weapons, figurines and various objects, and examples of ancient pottery are also important.

Highlights

• The pediments of the Temple of Zeus: the Centauromachy and the myth of Pelops
• Hermes of Praxiteles
• The Nike of Paionios
• The largest collection of ancient bronzes in the world
• The bronze helmet of Miltiades

Permanent exhibition

• Μόνιμη έκθεση του Αρχαιολογικού Μουσείου Ολυμπίας – Finds from the sacred Altis of Olympia, from prehistoric to early Christian times, with sculptures from the Temple of Zeus, bronze objects and pottery.

Founded

1882

Operated by

Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού – Εφορεία Αρχαιοτήτων Ηλείας

Visitors per year

approx. 159,348

Admission & discounts

Free admission: 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October, and the first and third Sunday of each month from 1 November to 31 March.

The combined ticket is valid for one day and includes the archaeological site of Olympia, the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of the History of the Ancient Olympic Games and the Museum of the History of the Excavations of Olympia. Tickets are not issued for each site separately.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

There is a car park, toilets and ramps, as well as a free digital virtual tour system for people with hearing impairments. Guide dogs are admitted; other pets are not allowed inside the buildings.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Ancient Olympia is about 3 hours and 30 minutes by car from Athens and 1 hour and 25 minutes from Patras.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

On site there is a café-restaurant, a shop with books, maps, casts and gifts, toilets and WiFi.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit