Temple of Olympian Zeus

Overview

The Temple of Olympian Zeus (Olympieion) was the largest temple in ancient Greece, dedicated to the king of the gods. Fifteen of its original 104 colossal Corinthian columns still stand, each 17 meters tall.

Highlights

• Scale: The standing columns convey the staggering ambition of the original temple, which was larger than the Parthenon.
• Fallen Column: One dramatically toppled column lies in sections, giving a sense of the columns' massive scale.
• Hadrian's Arch: The adjacent Roman arch frames the temple beautifully.

History

Started in the 6th century BC by the tyrant Peisistratos, construction was abandoned and only completed 650 years later by Emperor Hadrian in 131 AD. It was the largest temple in Greece for only about 100 years before going into decline.

Visitor Tips

• Combined Ticket: Included in the Acropolis multi-site ticket.
• Golden Hour Photos: The columns glow magnificently at sunset.
• Duration: 30–45 minutes.