EN
An exquisite outdoor museum is found in the heart of Athens, between Vasilissis Amalias and Vasilissis Olgas avenues, in the southeastern of the Sacred Rock. Also known as Olympieion or Columns of the Olympian Zeus, it was famous for being one of the biggest temples of the Hellenistic and Roman times. The foundations of the temple were laid by Peisistratos the younger in 515bC. However, its construction stopped with the tyranny abolition and began again during the Macedon domination. The king of Syria, Antiochos IV Epiphanes assigned the unfinished project to the Roman architect, Cossutius but after his death, the temple was ceded once again. Construction was completed between 129-131aC by the philhellene Roman emperor, Hadrian. The Temple of Olympian Zeus was made of marble from Penteli and had 104 huge columns of Corinthian style, but today only 15 are still standing. Busts of prestigious men and statues adorned the internal part of the temple which was dedicated to Zeus but unfortunately, no statue is preserved. They say that the temple was destroyed in an earthquake during the Byzantine times. Today, it forms an outdoor museum that everyone can visit. Opening Hours: Winter Season: Daily 08.00 - 15.00 Summer Season: Daily 08.00 - 19.00 Tickets: Full: €6, Reduced: €3 Special ticket package: Full: €30, Reduced: €15 and is valid for five (5) days. Valid for: Acropolis of Athens, Ancient Agora of Athens – Areopagus, Archaeological Museum of Kerameikos, Archaeological Site of Lykeion, Hadrian's Library, Kerameikos, Museum of the Ancient Agora, North slope of Acropolis, Olympieion, Roman Agora of Athens, South Slope of Acropolis.