Elis

Elis, land of Olympia in the western Peloponnese

Elis (Ilía) occupies the western part of the Peloponnese, between the valleys of the Alpheus and the Peneus, the inland highlands and the long beaches of the Ionian Sea. More agricultural and less mountainous than many other regions of the peninsula, it is best known for Olympia, but it also has several ancient and medieval sites as well as natural areas that allow visitors to extend their discovery.

Olympia^★★ is by far its main site. In a green valley at the confluence of the Alpheus and the Kladeos stood the great Panhellenic sanctuary of Zeus, where the ancient Olympic Games were celebrated every four years. The archaeological site preserves in particular the temples of Zeus and Hera, the stadium, the palaestra, the gymnasium, the Philippeion and many buildings linked to the organisation of the Games. The Archaeological Museum of Olympia, which displays among other things the sculptures from the pediments of the temple of Zeus and the Hermes attributed to Praxiteles, completes this major visit.

Further north, ancient Elis was the political capital of the territory of the Eleans and the city responsible for administering the Olympic Games. Athletes completed their preparation there before heading to Olympia. Its archaeological site preserves in particular the remains of an agora, a theatre and several public buildings, complemented by an archaeological museum.

The main medieval testimony is found near Kyllini with Chlemoutsi Castle^★, built in the 13th century by the Frankish princes of Achaea. It then formed, together with Andravida, capital of the principality, and the great trading port of Glarentza, one of the centres of Frankish power in the Peloponnese. Dominating the plain and the Ionian Sea, this powerful fortress is one of the best-preserved examples of Frankish military architecture in Greece and now houses a museum devoted to the Principality of Achaea.

Elis also has an extensive coastline and several natural sites. The beaches and thermal springs of Kyllini, the lake, dunes and thermal waters of Kaiafas, south of Olympia, offer another side of the region. Inland, the landscapes become more wooded around the Foloi plateau, known for its great oak forest. Elis is thus discovered above all around Olympia, but can easily justify a few additional stops between ancient remains, medieval fortress and landscapes of the western Peloponnese.