Archea Pissa: Events of 2023 and 2026

A race from Archea Pissa to Archaia Olympia

Archea Pissa is connected with Archaia Olympia as the starting point of a precisely described race. In 2023, participants in the 5 km “Δρόμος του Κλεοσθένη” race started at the Church of Agia Kyriaki in Archaia Pissa. They ran past the tombs of the Hellenodikai, entered the International Olympic Academy, ran above the ancient stadium of Olympia and eventually reached the Grove of the Olympic Truce. The race ended there, just before the entrance to the archaeological site of Archaia Olympia.

The race honoured Kleisthenes, king of Ancient Pissa. Its dedication gives the sporting event a historical connection, while the sequence of named landmarks makes the route easy to picture. If you are travelling with children, this sequence can provide a starting point for conversation: you can refer to specific names such as Agia Kyriaki, the tombs of the Hellenodikai and Kleisthenes. This makes it possible to explore the race through its individual locations and its dedication.

The 2026 Truce Run

In 2026, the symbolic “Δρόμος του Κλεισθένη” Truce Run took place from Archaia Pissa to Archaia Olympia. It was organised by Sympoliteia Olympia together with the Supreme Council for Sport of the Armed Forces, the Municipality of Ancient Olympia and the local community of Archaia Pissa. Its aim was to promote Olympic values and, in particular, highlight the message of the Truce.

The programme also included a reception at the facilities of the International Olympic Academy in Archaia Olympia: young priestesses welcomed the personnel of the “Ηνίοχος 2026” aviation exercise, as well as family members who had completed the Truce Run. This specific encounter adds another perspective on the occasion to the route-related details.

The two years have different emphases: in 2023, the five kilometres, the route’s landmarks and the tribute to Kleisthenes take centre stage; in 2026, the run is shaped by its symbolic purpose and the message of the Truce. The dated events therefore offer different starting points for understanding Archea Pissa and the route to Archaia Olympia.

The municipality’s cultural setting

Beyond the individual race, the Municipality of Ancient Olympia offers a broader cultural setting. Its area is home to an archaeological site, the Archaeological Museum, the International Olympic Academy, a thematic Archaeological Museum of the Olympic Games, a museum on the history of the excavations and a museum of the modern Olympic Games. The municipality attributes its large number of visitors and international interest to these institutions. This overview relates to the municipality and complements the specific race route with a broader perspective on the region.

The race runs from Archea Pissa to Archaia Olympia; the cultural overview covers the Municipality of Ancient Olympia. Choose according to the part of the trip that interests you most, then compare the specific options based on your needs.

Discover more destinations: Theisoa, Glifa, Kardamas, Amalias, Aghios Ilias, Archea Olimpia, Agios Andreas, Arkoudi.

Return to the broader travel overview: Ilia.