The temple is dedicated to Zeus Thunder or as it is called the Temple of Olympian Zeus was the largest temple of ancient Greece. This is not surprising if we take into account the fact that the construction of the temple took nearly 650 years!

Temple of Olympian Zeus

Construction of the Temple of Zeus

Construction was started in 6 th century BC during the reign of the tyrant Peisistratos. It was completed during the reign of Roman Emperor Hadrian. He has finished the temple and dedicated it to Zeus.

Reconstruction of temple

The temple is located next to Hadrian’s Arch built in order to separate the old city (the city of Theseus) from the new (city of Adrian). At present, from the temple survived only 15 columns. But even these remnants of the template give us his impressive massiveness. The height of each column is 17 meters.

Temple of Zeus. Details

The area around the temple has long been considered sacred. The ancient Athenians believed that a temple existed south of the crack which consumed the last water after the flood Deucalion.

There was a cave of Kalliori nymphs. In the same field performed his feat the last king of Athens Codri sacrificing himself for the salvation of Athens during the war against Dorians. Near the cave of the Kalliori nymphs Socrates has gathered his disciples.

View on the Temple

Temple of Olympian Zeus on the map