Explore the Temple of Olympian Zeus

Absolutely! The Temple of Zeus offers a glimpse into the grandeur of ancient Greek civilization. Standing among its 15 remaining columns, you can feel the reverence the ancient Athenians held for the king of the Olympian gods. The balanced proportions and the use of Pentelic marble reflect their engineering prowess which was remarkably advanced for its time.

The Temple of Olympian Zeus, also known as the Olympieion, was built to honor Zeus, the king of the Olympian gods. The temple’s construction began in the 6th century BCE by Athenian tyrants, however, it took several centuries to complete, with various rulers contributing to its development over time. The Roman Emperor Hadrian finally completed it in 132 CE as a tribute to Greek religion and culture.

The Temple of Zeus is renowned for its massive structure and carved Corinthian columns, an unusual addition to Greek temple architecture in 132 AD. When finished, it was one of the largest temples in Greece, with over 104 colossal columns in its sanctuary. Today, the temple’s ruins continue to inspire awe, embodying Hadrian’s vision of a unified nation blending Greek heritage with Roman ideals.

While the Temple of Zeus now stands as an open-air ruin with only 15 of its original 104 columns, it once housed an enormous statue of Zeus, possibly in a seated position, made from precious metals like gold and ivory. The state was made to awe and inspire, much like the grand Corinthian columns that housed it.

We recommend stopping by the Temple of Zeus early in the morning or in the evening to avoid the midday heat, which is particularly scorching during the peak summer months. You can also consider reaching late in the afternoon and staying until the sun sets to see the warm sun rays shining upon the white marble. For a more relaxed experience, visit around spring or fall, when temperatures are mild and there are fewer crowds.