Ancient Olympia is situated in the region of Elis in Western Peloponnese. Originally dedicated to Zeus, it was an important religious sanctuary of the ancient Greek world and as such it attracted visitors from all the Greek world. It was the home of the statue of Zeus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and the birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games, which were first organized there in the 8^th century B.C. and took place every four years until the 4^th century A.D. While the Olympic Games were taking place, Olympic Truce was declared so that athletes, who could only be freeborn Greeks, could travel peacefully to Olympia and take part in the Games, thus honouring Zeus.

Since the modern Olympic Games were revived in 1896, Olympia has been their starting point as it is the place where the Olympic flame is lit every four years before it travels to the city that hosts the Olympic Games.