Ancient Olympia
The landscape around Amonechori is low, olive-covered countryside in Elis, which has shaped both the built environment and local life. This small settlement stands amid the gently rolling agricultural interior of the western Peloponnese, where red-tiled homes and cypress trees punctuate groves and fields. Elis extends from the Ionian coast across fertile plains toward the uplands of Arcadia; the Alpheios River is one of its principal waterways. The area remains closely associated with olive growing and olive-oil production. Ancient Olympia, in the same regional district, was the Panhellenic sanctuary where the ancient Olympic Games were held, giving this rural corner of Greece an enduring place in world history.
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Ancient Olympia has served as a major sanctuary in the western Peloponnese since the 10th century BCE. Set beside the Alpheios River, the archaeological site preserves the stadium where the ancient Olympic Games were held from 776 BCE until 393 CE. Here stood the Temple of Zeus, once home to Phidias’s colossal statue of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world; its fallen Doric columns still convey the monument’s scale. The Archaeological Museum of Olympia displays finds from the sanctuary, including the Hermes of Praxiteles. Follow nearby webcams to discover more of Ancient Olympia and the western Peloponnese.
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The terrain of Peloponnese, Western Greece and the Ionian ranges from the low coastal plains of western Peloponnese to the Pindus mountain country in the north, creating a region of strong contrasts between shore and interior. The Ionian Sea defines its western edge, alongside islands including Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos and Lefkada, while the Alpheios River runs through Elis towards the coast. Ancient Olympia, in Elis, was the sanctuary where the ancient Olympic Games were held, and its archaeological site remains one of Greece’s most important classical landmarks. Browse additional webcams from the surrounding area to extend your view of western Greece and the Ionian.
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Greece occupies a mountainous peninsula and island-dotted coastline in southeastern Europe. The Aegean Sea shapes its eastern shore, while the Ionian Sea lies to the west; Crete is the country’s largest island. Athens is anchored by the Acropolis, where the Parthenon has stood since the fifth century BCE as a defining monument of classical antiquity. Beyond the capital, the Pindus Mountains run through the mainland, and Mount Olympus is associated in ancient Greek religion with the home of the gods. Greek food traditions centre on olive oil, seafood, cheeses and regional dishes, with long meals remaining an important part of social life. Continue through nearby webcams to explore the islands and mainland regions of Greece.
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