Elis

Ancient Elis, the city that organized the Olympic Games

In the fertile valley of the Peneus, ancient Elis was the main city of the Eleans and the political centre of the territory on which Olympia depended^★★. Less monumental than the great sanctuary of Zeus, it nevertheless played an essential role in organizing the ancient Olympic Games.

According to tradition, the Elean king Iphitos took part in their reorganization in the 8th century BC. Before competing at Olympia, athletes had to spend about a month in Elis to complete their training and be checked by the officials of the Games. The city had several gymnasiums and sports facilities, known mainly from ancient texts.

The archaeological site of Elis

The remains now spread across a rural landscape and include part of the agora, public buildings, sanctuaries, houses and workshops. The most remarkable monument is the ancient theatre^★★, built in the 4th century BC. Its vast koilon was mainly laid out in earth, while its stone stage building preserves one of the oldest known proskenions in Greece.

The Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum of Elis^★, located nearby, presents the main discoveries made on the site: sculptures, ceramics, everyday objects and mosaics. It usefully complements a visit whose interest lies less in monumentality than in understanding how the Olympic Games operated and the main city of ancient Elis.