Workshop of Phidias

The Workshop of Phidias is an archaeological site opposite the Temple of Zeus, featuring three aisles and measuring approximately 32 meters long and 14.5 meters wide. The location contains remnants of tools, pottery, and other objects used during the creation of the famous statue.

The site was established in the second half of the 5th century BC when the renowned sculptor arrived in Olympia after completing work on the Acropolis in Athens. Here he created one of the wonders of the ancient world.

The workshop space was sized to accommodate the creation of the monumental ivory statue of Zeus, one of antiquity's most celebrated works. The proportions of the room reveal the technical challenges ancient artisans had to overcome.

Visitors should expect uneven ground and archaeological excavations that define the landscape here. The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon to avoid heat and large crowds.

French and German archaeologists discovered pottery sherds bearing inscriptions that clearly carried the name of the master. Such labeled artifacts are rare evidence of activity in this ancient workshop.