olimpia

Olimpia is the Italian and Spanish form of Olympia, the name given to the ancient Greek sanctuary and site in the western Peloponnese that hosted the original Olympic Games. Located in Elis near the modern town of Olympia, the site was a major religious center from the 10th century BCE, dedicated to Zeus. It contained the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera, the statue of Zeus by Phidias (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World), the ancient stadium, gymnasium, palaestra, and treasuries where city-states kept offerings. The Olympic Games were held there every four years from 776 BCE until the late antiquity period and played a central role in Greek culture. The site was excavated in the 19th and 20th centuries, and the Archaeological Museum of Olympia houses artifacts from the site. In 1986, the archaeological site of Olympia was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

In contemporary usage, Olimpia remains a toponym and is used for towns and municipalities in various countries, reflecting the historical significance of the ancient sanctuary. The term is closely linked with the Olympic movement, and the revival of the Olympic Games in 1896 drew inspiration from Olympia.