When we hear the name Olympia, our minds immediately travel to the grand and sacred games of ancient Greece—the Olympic Games—that were celebrated every four years. But Olympia was not only a sporting ground; it was also a deeply religious sanctuary dedicated to the worship of Zeus and other deities. The archaeological site of Olympia, located in the Peloponnese region of Greece, was a place where religion, politics, art, and athletics came together to form one of the most important centers of ancient Greek civilization. A central aspect of Olympia’s sacred character was its temples—grand architectural achievements that honored the gods and housed some of the most magnificent works of art in antiquity.
So, how many temples were in Olympia? To answer this, we must explore the history, architecture, and functions of these structures.
The Sacred Altis: Heart of the Sanctuary
The holy precinct in Olympia was known as the Altis. Enclosed by walls and filled with sacred buildings, treasuries, altars, and statues, it was here that most of Olympia’s temples were constructed. Unlike a modern city with a grid layout, Olympia evolved organically over centuries, as different Greek city-states contributed structures to honor the gods and display their wealth and devotion.
While the sanctuary contained many treasuries and altars, the main temples were notably dedicated to Zeus and Hera, two of the principal deities of the Greek pantheon. These two temples stood at the heart of Olympia and were surrounded by secondary shrines and smaller cultic buildings.
The Temple of Hera (Heraion)
The Temple of Hera, built around 600 BCE, is one of the oldest surviving monumental temples in Greece. Dedicated to Hera, the goddess of marriage and the wife of Zeus, this temple was constructed in the Doric order and served as a model for later Greek temple architecture.
Notably, the Heraion also had a special role in the Olympic Games. It contained altars and cult statues of both Hera and Zeus, and it was here that the ancient Greeks kept some of their most sacred objects, including the table on which Olympic victors were crowned with olive wreaths. Even today, the modern Olympic flame is ignited at the ruins of Hera’s temple before beginning its relay journey to the host city of the games.
The Temple of Zeus
The Temple of Zeus, completed around 457 BCE, was the most important building in Olympia. It was one of the largest Doric temples ever built, measuring 64 by 27 meters. Inside this magnificent temple stood the Chryselephantine statue of Zeus, a colossal seated figure created by the sculptor Phidias. Crafted from gold and ivory, the statue of Zeus was so breathtaking that it became one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The temple itself also served as a centerpiece for the sanctuary, with sculptural decorations on its pediments depicting mythological battles, including the chariot race of Pelops and Oinomaos—a myth closely tied to the origin of the Olympic Games. This temple was more than just a religious site; it was a symbol of Greek identity and cultural pride.
Other Structures and Shrines
While the temples of Zeus and Hera were the main religious structures, Olympia also contained various smaller sanctuaries, altars, and cult buildings. These include:
- The Metroon – A temple dedicated to Cybele, the mother of the gods, which later served as a place of emperor worship during the Roman period.
- Temple of Pelops – A hero shrine honoring Pelops, the mythical founder of the Olympic Games. Often referred to as a heroon rather than a temple, it played a key ritual role during the games.
- The Philippeion – Though technically a circular memorial building, it was dedicated by King Philip II of Macedon after his victory at the Battle of Chaeronea. It housed statues of Philip’s family, blending politics with religion.
Therefore, while historians and archaeologists refer to the Temple of Hera and the Temple of Zeus as the principal temples, these secondary shrines and sacred buildings also enriched Olympia’s religious landscape.
Counting the Temples: A Scholarly Perspective
If one asks strictly, “How many temples existed in Olympia?” the generally accepted answer is two major temples: the Temple of Zeus and the Temple of Hera. These were the true religious heart of the sanctuary and the only full-scale Greek temples in the Altis.
However, if we broaden the definition of “temple” to include heroa (shrines to heroes) and smaller cultic buildings, we can count several additional structures, such as the Temple of Pelops, the Metroon, and possibly other subsidiary sanctuaries. Thus, depending on the criteria, Olympia contained anywhere from two to five notable temple-like edifices.
The Role of Temples in Olympia’s Legacy
The temples of Olympia were not just places of worship; they were also centers of artistic innovation and cultural exchange. The sculptures that decorated these temples, for example, profoundly influenced classical art. The Temple of Zeus’s pediments and metopes are among the greatest achievements of early classical sculpture. Moreover, the presence of the statue of Zeus by Phidias made Olympia a pilgrimage site for centuries, drawing visitors from across the Mediterranean.
Even after the decline of the Olympic Games under Christian rule in the late Roman Empire, the ruins of these temples continued to inspire travelers and scholars in later centuries. Excavations since the 19th century have revealed their remains, allowing us to reconstruct their former glory.
Conclusion
So, how many temples were in Olympia? The straightforward answer is two major temples—the Temple of Hera and the Temple of Zeus—stood as the primary sacred buildings of the sanctuary. However, when considering the broader range of religious structures, including hero shrines and cult places, the number rises to around five significant temple-like sites.
Regardless of the exact count, what matters most is that Olympia’s temples symbolized the union of devotion, athleticism, and artistry that made the sanctuary one of the greatest cultural treasures of the ancient world. Today, their ruins remind us not only of Greece’s architectural mastery but also of a time when religion and sport were interwoven into the very fabric of society.
