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Workshop of Phidias & Early Christian Basilica

Discover where the Statue of Zeus was crafted, later site of an Early Christian basilica, blending ancient artistry with early faith.

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Explore the remains of the workshop of Phidias, the renowned sculptor who created the Statue of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Later, a Christian basilica was built upon its ruins, blending ancient Greek artistry with early Christian history.

A brief summary to Workshop of Phidias - Early Christian basilica

Local tips

  • Visit the Archaeological Museum of Olympia to see a selection of molds and tools discovered at the workshop site.
  • Combine your visit with a tour of the Temple of Zeus, where Phidias' statue once stood.
  • Wear comfortable shoes, as the archaeological site involves walking on uneven ground.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the main entrance of the Ancient Olympia archaeological site, the Workshop of Phidias is a short walk west, located directly opposite the Temple of Zeus. Follow the marked paths within the site; the workshop ruins are clearly signposted. The ground is uneven in places.

  • Public Transport

    If arriving by bus at the Olympia bus station, walk east towards the archaeological site. Enter the site and follow the walking directions above. The bus station is within easy walking distance (approximately 10 minutes) of the archaeological site. Bus tickets from Athens to Olympia cost approximately $33-$49.

  • Taxi

    Taxis are available in Olympia and can drop you off at the entrance to the archaeological site. From there, follow the walking directions. A short taxi ride within Olympia will typically cost around €5-€10.

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Discover more about Workshop of Phidias - Early Christian basilica

Located in the heart of Ancient Olympia, the Workshop of Phidias offers a glimpse into the creation of one of antiquity's most celebrated masterpieces: the Statue of Zeus. In the 5th century BC, the renowned sculptor Phidias, having completed work on the Athenian Acropolis, came to Olympia to craft the colossal chryselephantine statue. The workshop was designed with the same dimensions as the cella of the Temple of Zeus, likely to aid Phidias in visualizing the statue within its intended setting. Excavations have revealed a wealth of artifacts, including tools, molds, and materials used in the statue's creation. Among the finds is a small black-painted oinochoe inscribed with "I belong to Phidias," offering a personal connection to the artist himself. The statue, depicting Zeus seated on a throne adorned with mythological scenes, was crafted with ivory for the skin and gold for the robes, embellished with glass and precious stones. In the 5th century AD, an Early Christian basilica was erected over the workshop's ruins, repurposing the site for Christian worship. The basilica featured three naves, a timber roof, and an apsidal sanctuary. Though destroyed by an earthquake in AD 551, remnants of the basilica, including parts of the marble chancel screen, can still be seen today. The blending of Phidias' workshop with the basilica represents a unique layering of ancient Greek and early Christian history.

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