Sight
Statue of Zeus at Olympia
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The Statue of Zeus at Olympia was a monumental seated figure of the king of the gods, created by the sculptor Phidias around 435 BC. Housed in the Temple of Zeus, the statue was over 12 meters tall and made of gold and ivory (chryselephantine) over a wooden frame. It depicted Zeus holding a scepter and a figure of Nike, the goddess of victory. Though the statue is lost, destroyed by fire in the 5th century AD, its legacy endures as one of the Seven Wonders. Visitors can see the temple's ruins and the workshop where Phidias crafted the masterpiece.
Don't miss
- Temple of Zeus ruins: massive columns and foundations that once held the statue
- Phidias' workshop: remains of the sculptor's studio, with tools and molds found on site
- Replica of the statue in the museum: a scaled model showing its likely appearance
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Statue of Zeus at Olympia
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inAncient Olympia Half-Day Tour from Katakolo Cruise Port4.4★ · 311 travelers~5 hoursFree cancellationFrom$17 per personSee dates →
Best full dayKnossos - Zeus Cave - Old Traditional Villages-Olive Oil Factory5★ · 738 travelers~8 hoursFree cancellationFrom$134 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleKnossos Palace and/or Zeus Cave + Olive Mill | Local & Private5★ · 21 travelers7–8 hoursFree cancellationFrom$95 per personSee dates →More attractions in Olympia