In which city was the ancient Olympic Games’ sanctuary of Olympia located?

The sanctuary of Olympia, where the ancient Olympic Games were held, was located in Olympia, Greece.

Olympia was a religious sanctuary in the western Peloponnese devoted primarily to Zeus. The ancient games traditionally began in 776 BC, a date recorded by Greek historians and later used as the starting point for an Olympiad-based chronology. Competitions were held every four years and attracted male athletes from Greek communities.

The sanctuary contained temples, athletic facilities, treasuries, and monuments. The Temple of Zeus once housed a colossal seated statue made by the sculptor Phidias, counted among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Olympic flame used by the modern movement is ceremonially lit at Olympia, although the modern torch relay is not an ancient practice.

Olympia should not be confused with Athens, the modern host of the first international Olympic Games in 1896, or Delphi, another major Greek sanctuary. Olympia’s ancient games were abolished in late antiquity, and archaeological excavations later revealed the site’s layout and artifacts.