Topography of Ancient Olympia

Palaestra

Dating in the 3rd century BC, the Palaestra is located outside the Altis, on the west of the sacred enclosure and south of the Gymnasium. It was a square building, the inner yard of which served for the training of wrestlers, jumpers and boxers. The yard was encircled by four stoas where the athletes rested and prepared before the Games. The stoas also served as changing rooms. In its original form the building had two entrances in the south side but later on, a bigger one with a propylon was added in the northwest corner.