The Heraion, built around 600 BC, is one of the oldest monumental temples in Greece and the oldest building in the Altis. Its columns were originally of wood and were replaced one by one in stone as they decayed — which is why no two capitals are quite alike. A colossal limestone head, probably of Hera, was found nearby and is now in the museum.
It was here, in 1877, that German excavators found the Hermes of Praxiteles. And it is here, in front of the temple, that the Olympic flame is lit a few months before every Games: an actress playing the high priestess uses a parabolic mirror to focus the sun’s rays onto a torch, and the flame is carried into the stadium to begin its relay.
What to see at Temple of Hera (Heraion)
Compare the columns
Look closely at the capitals and the column shafts — different diameters, different profiles, different centuries. It is a textbook in the evolution of the Doric order.
Stand where the flame is lit
The ceremony takes place at the altar in front of the temple’s east end. Outside ceremony days, it is a quiet spot shaded by the trees of Kronion hill.
Look up at Kronion hill
The wooded hill behind the temple was sacred to Kronos, father of Zeus. The Nymphaeum of Herodes Atticus, a grand Roman fountain house, stands just to the east.
How to get to Temple of Hera (Heraion)
- On site: at the northern edge of the Altis, at the foot of Kronion hill, next to the Philippeion.
- Flame ceremony: held a few months before each Olympic Games; the site is closed to regular visitors that day.
Insider tips
- The flame ceremony is ticketed or invitation-based for the main seating; the dress rehearsal the day before is usually easier to see.
- Late afternoon light on the columns is beautiful in spring and autumn.
- See Hermes of Praxiteles in the museum on the same day — he was found in this temple.
Best tours & tickets for Temple of Hera (Heraion)
These top-rated experiences are the easiest way to see Temple of Hera (Heraion) with context:
Self-guided VR from €25 Olympia: The Famous VR Glasses Tour with Audio Guide
The best-reviewed experience at Olympia. Hold up the VR glasses at marked points around the site and the ruins in front of you are rebuilt as they looked in antiquity, while an audio guide tells the story. The site entry ticket is usually separate — check the listing.
- See 15 monuments reconstructed through VR glasses
- Multilingual audio commentary at your own pace
- The Temple of Zeus and Philippeion as they once stood
Private tour from €118 Olympic Site All-Inclusive Private Tour with a Local Expert
An exclusive two-hour walk through the sanctuary with a field archaeologist and certified guide. Expect the stories behind the stones — how the Games were run, who paid for what, and how the site was lost and found.
- A field archaeologist as your private guide
- Admission handled — no ticket queue
- Perfect rating from 30+ reviews
