Treasuries at Olympia

The Treasuries at Olympia are eleven small temple-like structures standing in a row at the foot of Kronos hill, forming the northern boundary of the sacred Olympic grounds. Each building contains a single room with two entrance columns at the front.

These buildings were constructed in the 6th century BC by cities such as Megara and Sikyon from the Peloponnese, as well as by colonies from South Italy and Sicily. Their construction reflects the growing importance of Olympia as a pan-Hellenic center where different Greek communities displayed their presence.

Each treasury was a gift from a Greek city-state to the sanctuary and held precious objects and trophies belonging to different communities. They show how important it was for ancient cities to display their wealth and status through such offerings.

The treasuries are easily reached along the main path running through the sanctuary and can be explored on foot. The site is open and accessible, with early morning or late afternoon hours being best to avoid crowds.

Five of the eleven treasuries originated from colonies in South Italy and Sicily, coming from cities like Gela, Metapontion, Sybaris, Selinous, and Syracuse. This distant origin shows how important the Olympic sanctuary was to the entire Greek world, not just the home region.

Location: Ancient Olympia Municipality

Part of: Olympia

GPS coordinates: 37.63903,21.63107

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:42