Archea Olympia: Olympic Academy and the History of Excavations

Archea Olympia brings together two cultural perspectives: the International Olympic Academy represents education and Olympic values, while the Museum of the History of Excavations in Olympia focuses on archaeological research. The Academy grounds are also home to a memorial site and the historical archive of the Organising Committee of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. These topics give you a concrete basis for considering the cultural focus of your stay alongside your choice of holiday apartment.

Educational work of the International Olympic Academy

Since 1961, the International Olympic Academy has run its own educational courses and programmes on its grounds in Ancient Olympia. It also hosts events there for other organisations that promote Olympic values. Every year, the Academy trains hundreds of professionals in Olympism and sport. The timeline dating back to 1961 and the training held every year give this educational work a longer-term perspective. Events for other organisations complement the Academy’s own programmes with a further point of reference: the promotion of Olympic values by external bodies. For culturally minded travellers, this offers an institutional perspective on Olympia that goes beyond a single event.

Memorial and archive on the Academy grounds

A memorial stele stands in the Coubertin Grove on the Academy grounds, where the heart of Pierre de Coubertin rests. The historical archive of the Organising Committee of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games is also located on the grounds; the archive project was funded entirely by the International Olympic Committee. The stele and the archive represent different forms of remembrance: one focuses on an individual, the other on the organising committee of a particular Olympiad. The archive has a clearly defined historical connection to Athens 2004. Together, the memorial site and the collection make Olympic history accessible from two different perspectives.

The history of excavations in Olympia

The Museum of the History of Excavations in Olympia presents the story of the long-running and costly excavation of the archaeological site. The focus is therefore not only on the site itself, but also on the history of its investigation and the effort involved in the excavation. This sets it apart from the Academy’s educational work: here, the history of excavation is the main focus. If you are interested, you can plan a visit to the museum as a separate cultural highlight. Check the current visitor arrangements before your visit.

Two cultural highlights to consider when planning your trip

When choosing your holiday apartment, you can first consider which of these highlights you want to shape your stay. The Academy brings together education, Olympic values and historical remembrance; the museum focuses on the history of excavations. If you are interested in the institutional context of the Olympics, you can explore the Academy in more detail. If you would like to learn more about the long-running excavation, you can make a visit to the museum your priority.

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