Museum of the History of the Olympic Games in Antiquity

About the museum

The Museum of the History of the Olympic Games in Antiquity is housed in the so-called Old Museum or Syngreion, completed in 1888 with a donation from the national benefactor Andreas Syngros. It was the first provincial museum built in Greece, erected to house the numerous finds from the sanctuary of Olympia. The plans for the neoclassical building were drawn up by the German architects Friedrich Adler and Wilhelm Dörpfeld, who had been associated with the excavations of Olympia since 1875.

The central hall initially housed the sculptures of the Temple of Zeus and the Nike of Paionios, while Hermes by Praxiteles was in the back hall. The earthquakes of 1954 caused major damage to the building, and because the new finds had no space, the construction of the New Archaeological Museum was deemed necessary. The old building was later renovated and has operated since 2004 as a museum of the ancient games.

The exhibition begins with the first forms of athletic activity in the prehistoric Aegean, Minoan Crete and Mycenaean Greece, and is linked with the myth of the origin of the games. About 400 ancient works from Olympia and other important sites in Greece illuminate the worship of the gods in whose honour the games were held, namely the Pythian, Isthmian, Nemean and Panathenaic Games, as well as the cult of Zeus, the contests, the winners and the participation of women.

Highlights

• About 400 ancient works on the ancient games
• The jumping weight of Akmatidas
• Contests at the great Panhellenic sanctuaries: Pythian, Isthmian, Nemean and Panathenaic Games
• The neoclassical Syngreion of 1888
• The history of women’s participation in the games

Permanent exhibition

• Μόνιμη έκθεση για τους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες της Αρχαιότητας – From the first forms of athletic activity in the prehistoric Aegean to the contests at the great Panhellenic sanctuaries, with about 400 ancient works on the worship of Zeus, athletes, winners and women in sport.

Founded

2004

Operated by

Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού – Εφορεία Αρχαιοτήτων Ηλείας

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, this museum and the Museum of the History of the Excavations of Olympia. Separate tickets are not issued for each site.

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. Guide dogs are permitted; 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

• Wi-Fi

On site there are toilets and Wi-Fi.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit