Temple of Olympian Zeus
Athens, Greece
The ruins of the largest temple in ancient Greece, whose construction was begun by the tyrant Pisistratus in the 6th century BC and completed only by Emperor Hadrian in 131 AD. The temple originally had 104 Corinthian columns of Pentelic marble, over 17 meters high. To this day, 15 standing columns survive, and one overturned by a storm in 1852, lying in segments on the ground. The complex was surrounded by a peribolos with numerous statues of Hadrian and Zeus. The excavation site is located just a few hundred meters southeast of the Acropolis gates.
- Visit time: 45 min
- Local name: Ναός του Ολυμπίου Διός
What to look for
- Fifteen standing Corinthian columns over 17 meters high
- Overturned column with visible marble drums from 1852
- Adjacent Roman Arch of Hadrian made of marble
Before you go
- Best time: Morning from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
- Crowds: Medium tourist traffic
- Note: Ongoing conservation work on the columns
Good to know
- The construction of the Temple of Olympian Zeus lasted intermittently for almost 640 years.
Sources: hdticket.gr, odysseus.culture.gr
How long does it take to visit Temple of Olympian Zeus?
Plan about 45 min.
Nearby
- Arch of Hadrian — 130 m
- Zappeion i Park Zappeio — 400 m
- Acropolis of Athens and Parthenon — 420 m
- Plaka District — 470 m
- Theatre of Dionysus — 480 m
- Bar Brettos — 480 m
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