A temple for one of the oldest gods

Dedicated to the chief of the mighty Olympian Gods, the Temple of Olympian Zeus was envisaged to be the greatest temple in the ancient world at the onset of its construction in the 6th century BC. However, the world did not see the structure in all its glory till the construction was completed around 638 years later by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD. With 104 towering columns and two colossal statues (one of Zeus and one of Hadrian himself), the temple was the largest in the country.

Explore at your own pace

Alas, its days of glory were short-lived. In the 3rd century AD, the temple was pillaged by barbarians. After this, it fell into disuse and was possibly never repaired. Even as a ruin, the temple is a sight to behold and is one of Athens' most important archaeological sites. Explore the site at your own pace, as you try to envision how magnificent the temple would have been with all its columns and statues. The multilingual audio guide delves into the temple's history and its influence on later architecture and art, highlighting its enduring influence.