The Museum of the History of the Olympic Games of antiquity is one of the most important archaeological museums in Greece. It hosts in its collection, artifacts from the sanctuary of Olympian Zeus in Olympia where the ancient Olympic Games were born and hosted.
The first museum in Olympia was founded in 1886 on a small hill west of the Altis and was subsidized by the benefactor A. Syggros. In 1954 it underwent serious damage by an earthquake and was subsequently closed. It reopened as the Olympic Games History Museum in 2004.
The museum presents the long history of the Olympic Games and hosts findings related to the period when the ancient games took place such as a collection of terracottas, a collection of bronzes, a collection of sculptures and most of all a great collection from the ancient Olympic Games. It also shows a considerable number of findings from other Greek museums which are directly related to the sporting events and athletic activity in antiquity. There are also on display, objects that athletes used in the everyday training as well as pottery and other artifacts which gave us valuable information on the training of the athletes as well as the regulations of individual events and Games.
Apart from the ancient artworks, visitors have the chance to enjoy virtual tours to the ancient Olympic Games. This museum just completes the whole visit to Olympia!
The Museum of the History of the Olympic Games of antiquity is open on Mondays from 10.00am till 17.00pm and Tuesday – Friday from 08.00am till 15.00pm. The Museum remains closed during the weekends.
Tickets:
Full: €2, Reduced: €1
Reduced admission for:
⦁ Citizens of the European Union aged over 65 years old
⦁ Students of Higher Education Institutes and equivalent Schools from countries outside the EU
Free admission for:
⦁ Young people under the age of 18 years old
⦁ Cultural Card holders
⦁ Journalists
⦁ Persons accompanying blind and disabled
⦁ Tourist guides after demonstrating their professional identity of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism
⦁ University students of the E. U. and students at Schools of Tourist Guides
Free admission days:
⦁ 6 March (in memory of Melina Mercouri)
⦁ 18 April (International Monuments Day)
⦁ 18 May (International Museums Day)
⦁ 5 June (International Enviroment Day)
⦁ The last weekend of September annually (European Heritage Days)
⦁ Every first Sunday from November 1st to March 31st
Holidays:
⦁ 1 January (closed)
⦁ 25 March (closed)
⦁ 1 May (closed)
⦁ Easter Sunday (closed)
⦁ 25 December (closed)
⦁ 26 December (closed)
Amenities for the physically challenged:
Parking, toilet, ramps
Museum of the History of the Olympic Games of Antiquity
