In this green corner of the sacred land of Olympia, the concept of the Olympic Truce meets its ancient roots.

The Olympic Truce Grove

This special area is just metres away from the Temple of Hera in Olympia where the so-called 'discus of Ifitos', the agreement of the Sacred Truce, was inscribed.

The Olympic Truce Grove, an area of exceptional natural beauty between the Kronion Hill and the Kladeos River, adjacent to the Olympic Botanical Garden in Olympia. – © Konstantinos Antonopoulos

The Olympic Truce Grove occupies the area between the Archaeological Museum and the Site of Olympia. Dominated by poplars, pine trees and plane trees, it has been dedicated to the noble idea of peace. After all, the idea which became a strict institution in Antiquity, the pausing of the hostilities as a prerequisite for the peaceful staging of the Olympic Games, was born in Olympia and Elis.

Dominated by poplars, pine trees and plane trees, the Olympic Truce Grove was recently dedicated to the noble ideas of Antiquity. – © Konstantinos Antonopoulos

The aspiration of this symbolic initiative is that the concept of the Olympic Truce, presented at the sacred land where it was first thought of, will inspire humanity today. Perhaps you'll find a moment to think about that as you cross the small park from the archaeological site to the museum of Olympia.

The birth of the Olympic Truce Grove is the result of the cooperation of the International Olympic Truce Centre and the Ephorate of Antiquities of Ilia, the responsible authority on behalf of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture.

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