In the third phase of the project for the uncovering, protection and promotion of the Gymnasium in Ancient Olympia, the Ministry of Culture proceeds, following the positive opinions of the Central Archaeological Council on the structural study of the slopes and the drainage study of the rainwater drainage of the excavation pit. The completion of the excavations is followed by the final configuration of the monument.

The Gymnasium of Ancient Olympia was built in the 2nd century BC next to the bed of the river Kladeos and belongs to the same complex as the palace, which is in the immediate vicinity. It was a large, enclosed, oblong building, which had a spacious courtyard in its centre with Doric arcades on its four sides.

The Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, said: “The uncovering and promotion of the Gymnasium in Ancient Olympia, the place where the athletes who participated in the Olympic Games trained, continues unhindered by the Ministry of Culture through the competent Ephorate of Antiquities of Elis. Already completed the first and second phase of the monument’s disclosure and followed by the disclosure and promotion of the northern and last part of the Gymnasium, with the imminent inclusion of the project in the Regional Operational Programme of Western Greece. At the same time, with the unveiling of the monument, we create a flood protection grid, as its location next to the Kladeos River, makes it vulnerable to flooding phenomena. With the completion of the revelation of the Ancient Gymnasium, but also with the restoration and enhancement works of important monuments of the Roman period in Ancient Olympia, such as the Thermae, the so-called laboratory of Phidias, the “House of Nero”, completes the image of the archaeological site, expands the tour of visitors and enhances their experience.”