Archaeological Site of Olynthus
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The Archaeological Museum of Olynthos opened in July 1998 in a building on the archaeological site of ancient Olynthos, 5 km from Moudania, Halkidiki in Central Macedonia, Greece. The excavational finds are in the Archaeological Museum of Polygyros.
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The Archaeological Museum of Olynthos opened in July 1998 in a building on the archaeological site of ancient Olynthos, 5 km from Moudania, Halkidiki in Central Macedonia, Greece. The excavational finds are in the Archaeological Museum of Polygyros.
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A must visit site for everyone! Olynthos is one of the biggest cities of ancient Greece with its history starting even from the neolithic period. And it was truly magnificent checking the ruins and the interactive exhibition was so well made! If you visit during summer time it's better to go earlier as after 10:00 the sun is scorching but thankfully there are plenty of rest areas with benches under a shade. We were also lucky as it was a bit windy, making the heat more tolerable. There is a carpark at the bottom of the hill with plenty of trees for shade. You go through the entrance and pay your ticket (cards acceptable!) and then you can download a mini pdf using the QR code by the cashier. There are also 2 more apps you can download that will help you touring the place but also come with plenty of info for other archaeological sites around Chalkidiki! Walk about 100m up and there is a small building on your left with some ancients around and plenty of trees. Toilets are located here along with a chilled drinking fountain. This is where the interactive exhibition takes place and the whole room is air conditioned. There are 2 touchscreens with interactive maps about the various locations and parts of the site and interactive 3D models of buildings, mosaics and artifacts they found. 2 more touchscreens with a list of various artifacts 3D modelled also interactive. Bit further in the room there are benches to sit down and enjoy a 20 minute animated presentation about the history, the various chronological periods, the artifacts they found, and other information about the site. There are multiple screens and projectors used and make the whole show really interesting. The various animations presented were really well made and there were both Greek and English subtitles. Most of the audio is in Greek except one video that was specifically in English. Then it is a walk up the hill for about 700m, with 3 shaded rest stops along the way and plenty of trees and greenery. Might be a it difficult for the elderly to go up as the road is just soil and rocks (but they plan to make a cemented pathway in the near future). At the top there is maginificent view not only from the ruins but also you can see all the way to the village and neighbouring hills. You can walk around the ancients freely with no barriers blocking you and there are some signs with more info and pictures about some specific buildings. QR codes are also located on those signs to scan and use with the apps providing extra info and audio tours. Look for the mosaics around the site, they are trully beautiful and so detailed! Really hope they get to advertise the place more, it was our first time visiting and enjoyed every minute of it. It's really a shame no new excavations have been made in the past 80+ years, as only 10% of the city is exhibited. There are plenty of new technologies that could be used and so many more things could be found. All the artifacts and the mosaics were magnificent! They have plans to open a coffee shop and make it more accessibility friendly for everyone, but you know how slow things are with the Greek government and funds...
Stella ZografouStella Zografou
20
I have been to this site a few times over the years, more so to see when I visit if anything else has been discovered, new excavations etc. Would also love to see the South Hill opened up a little more, although I can appreciate there is still so much to find on North Hill. First of all though for anyone that has any walking problems, ill health or disability this may not be the the place for you, to access the site you have to walk a medium grade gravel path up quite a steep slope, luckily there are a couple of stop off points to take a breather if need be. In the spring/summer months TAKE WATER, you will need it as it gets hot up there. For anyone looking for any fancy 21st century gizmo's , forget it, this is an ancient archaeological site full of history and facts and pre-dates the Roman era by many many years. Observe closely the building and street infrastructure as well as drainage etc, you can see where the Romans got there ideas from, and the mosaics, in situ and the original stones, not tiles. The site in antiquity was a lot closer to the sea and was a major city with a lot of power, so much it became a concern to King Phillip of Macedonia who eventually sacked the city and it was left to ruin. The small museum shop also has pictures displayed of the original excavations as well as offering cheap food and drink (Pre Covid times). If you are lucky enough to be close by during spring take a look, it is an inexpensive way to learn some real history and you might also be lucky enough to see the Olynthos river in full flow prior to it drying out for the summer months. I love the place and am looking forward to returning in the not so distant future.
Rik Freeman PhotographerRik Freeman Photographer
40
There is one entrance to both the archeological and ancient site with a parking lot and ticket booth at this location. The natural setting and view are all by themselves worthy of a visit. The river bed below can be followed as a hiking track a long ways up into the hills above. Do read up a bit or watch videos on the history or you will just wander around looking at stones piled on stones. A little preparation allows you to get a full and rich visit. The signage is decrepit and sun damaged . The information brochure given at the ticket booth is helpful. The modest museum is closed due to COVID-19 but the open air ancient site is the main attraction. There are some spectacular shade trees outside the museum. The bathrooms in the museum are functioning. A water tap is present at the ancient site . There are two shade kiosks on the path up to the ancient city. Mobility challenges: The walk to the ancient site from the parking lot is on a dusty, rutted dirt road with loose rocks . Not wheelchair or child stroller friendly. About 800 meters long and 30 meters climb mostly at the end with an 8% grade. The cliff above the river bed is abrupt and some caution to children may be necessary as it is a tempting viewpoint. The staff want to assist and have your best interests at heart. They gladly share their knowledge if engaged. Consider asking politely if you can drive your car to the ancient site if you have a mobility challenge.
John McIntoshJohn McIntosh
30
Ένας από τους καλύτερους προορισμούς για επίσκεψη εφόσον σας αρέσουν τα σημεία αρχαιολογικού ενδιαφέροντος. Η πρόσβαση είναι εξαιρετικά εύκολη (με άσφαλτο) ακολουθώντας τις οδηγίες είτε από το Google Maps, είτε απλά τις ταμπέλες μέσα από την Όλυνθο. Το πάρκινγκ είναι πολύ άνετο και έχει αρκετά σημεία με σκιά. Οι άνθρωποι του χώρου, είναι εξαιρετικά φιλικοί, πολύ καλά ενημερωμένοι και καταρτισμένοι (Ευχαριστούμε ιδιαίτερα τον κ. Κώστα) και πάνω από όλα πολύ πρόθυμοι για να μοιραστούν πληροφορίες και να δώσουν οδηγίες ασφαλείας του χώρου και χρήσης των διαδραστικών οθονών. Η επίσκεψη έγινε Σάββατο Αυγούστου. Προτείνεται ισχυρά η προσέλευση όσο το δυνατό νωρίτερα για να αποφύγετε την έντονη ζέστη κατά τη διάρκεια της ημέρας. Επίσης, καλό είναι να έχετε και νερό μαζί σας. Από την είσοδο του χώρου στα 100μ. υπάρχει ένας κλιματιζόμενος χώρος (Με δυνατότητα να προμηθευτείτε νερό από ψύκτη), όπου μέσα από διαδραστικές οθόνες αφής μπορείτε να μάθετε και να δείτε όλες τις πληροφορίες που αφορούν τον χώρο με 3D αναπαραστάσεις, όπου μπορείς να αλλάξεις την γωνία που εμφανίζεται το εκάστοτε αντικείμενο επί της οθόνης (Θα προσπαθήσω να ανεβάσω βίντεο). Αξίζει να παρακολουθήσετε το βίντεο που παίζει σε αυτόν τον χώρο, είναι πολύ ενημερωτικό και εξαιρετικά καλά φτιαγμένο (Και άρτια φτιαγμένο από υλικοτεχνικής άποψης). Την ημέρα της επίσκεψης μας, ήταν η δεύτερη εβδομάδα λειτουργίας αυτού του νέου τρόπου απεικόνισης και μπορώ να πω ότι εάν έχετε επισκεφτεί στο παρελθόν τον χώρο, τότε αξίζει να έρθετε μόνο και μόνο για αυτή την καταπληκτική εμπειρία παρουσίασης! Φεύγοντας από τον χώρο αυτόν και μετά από μια σχετικά μικρή ανάβαση 800μ. (Με τα πόδια, οπότε καλό είναι να έχετε νερό μαζί σας) θα βρεθείτε στον οικισμό. Υπάρχουν δύο εφαρμογές που μπορείτε να κατεβάσετε στο κινητό σας. Η μία εφαρμογή είναι στην ουσία ο ψηφιακός ξεναγός σας και η δεύτερη εφαρμογή χρησιμοποιεί την κάμερα του κινητού σας και μέσω AR (Augmented Reality) σας δείχνει πώς πιθανώς να ήταν κάποια κτήρια. Είναι τόσο καλά σχεδιασμένη εφαρμογή που έχεις την δυνατότητα να περπατήσεις μέσα στο κτήριο κρατώντας απλα το τηλέφωνο στο χέρι, βλέποντας την οθόνη και περπατώντας στον χώρο. ΜΑΓΕΙΑ! (Υπάρχουν QR Codes σε πολλά σημεία μέσα στον αρχαιολογικό χώρο που σας δίνουν την δυνατότητα να κατεβάσετε τις εφαρμογές αυτές είτε από το Play Store είτε από το Apple Store). Υπάρχουν αρκετές ενημερωτικές ταμπέλες σε τακτά διαστήματα όπου ενημερώνουν για το τί υπάρχει μπροστα τους. Υπάρχουν πολλά ψηφιδωτά όπου τα περισσότερα είναι πολύ καλά διατηρημένα. Εντυπωσιακά σημεία, είναι το σύστημα αποχέτευσης, φίλτρανσης του καθαρού νερού, οι μπανιέρες, η άψογη ρυμοτομία και φυσικά τα ψηφιδωτά (Τα οποία είναι τα αρχαιότερα στον Ελλαδικό χώρο)! Τα 4€ της εισόδου είναι πολύ παραπάνω από τίμια με δεδομένο το αποτέλεσμα που είδαμε, κυρίως στον χώρο με τις διαδραστικές οθόνες και την προβολή του βίντεο. Πολλά συγχαρητήρια σε όλους όσους εργάστηκαν για αυτό το αποτέλεσμα. Είναι πραγματικά ένας λόγος για να αγαπήσετε τους αρχαιολογικούς χώρους και να σας παρακινήσει να μάθετε περισσότερα για την τόσο πλούσια ιστορία μας!
Emmanouil DaskalakisEmmanouil Daskalakis
10
Very interesting archeological site, it's much bigger than I tought. Only standing among the ruins of the once there city is when you realize the size of it all. And not even the whole thing is excavated! I hope one day they get around to doing that. It is absolutely worth a visit if you're in this part of Greece, it's the best archeological site nearby. There's so much to see, and they're very well equipped. There's a digital museum, with short animations explaining the history of ancient Olynthos, and you can see 3d models of the houses and findings. It's totally worth checking out, before entering the ruins themselves. The gentleman at the front who sells the tickets was extremely kind, he explained everything and was very helpful throughout. Entry under 25 is free, and over 25 it's 4 euros.
Dalma CsomaDalma Csoma
00
Olynthos Archeological Site by Poly gyros 63100. Very large step once inside the gate, you can purchase a ticket 4Euro. You must walk up a slight incline 800 feet, to get to the top. They have many detail display signs in English and Greek. At the beginning of each lane. The site is a settlement with all the streets laid out. You can walk the streets and is the outline of houses and read the history. The water containers plus the old pipes for sewage The walls are not high about 2 feet. One area they are about 3 feet. I took about 50 pictures including all the detail signs. Plus the museum and shop. Rest stop. Staff very pleasant. Town and locals friendly.
Dey TravelsDey Travels
50
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+30 2371 022060
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odysseus.culture.gr
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