# Ancient Olynthos

> ## Ancient Olynthos: the first planned city The **Ancient Olynthos** is one of the most important archaeological sites in Halkidiki and globally known to historians and architects: it preserves one of the **best-preserved examples of the Hippodamian system**, the first systematic urban planning in h

## Quick facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Location | Όλυνθος, Χαλκιδική |
| Area | mainland |
| Category | historical |
| Price range | €4-8 |
| Duration | 1-2h |
| Rating | — |
| Coordinates | 40.2903, 23.3436 |

## Tags

- history
- archaeology
- mosaics
- museum

## Description

## Ancient Olynthos: the first planned city
The **Ancient Olynthos** is one of the most important archaeological sites in Halkidiki and globally known to historians and architects: it preserves one of the **best-preserved examples of the Hippodamian system**, the first systematic urban planning in history.
### A city in a grid
On the **North Hill** of the site, visitors can clearly see the layout: wide avenues intersected perpendicularly by narrower streets, dividing the city into **perfectly rectangular city blocks**. More than **100 ancient houses** have been excavated, providing a rare, detailed picture of daily life in classical Greece — from kitchens and baths to men's quarters.
### The oldest mosaic pavements
Olynthos hosts some of the **oldest known mosaic pavements** of Greek art. The mythological representations featuring **Bellerophon and the Chimera** and **Dionysus on a chariot** stand out, made with natural pebbles in white and dark colors.
### History
Since **432 BC**, when the inhabitants of many coastal cities settled there, Olynthos became the capital of the **Chalcidian League** and a key economic and military center of the region. It was completely destroyed by **Philip II** in **348 BC** — and it is precisely this abrupt abandonment that preserved the city so well for archaeologists.
### Practical information
- An **Archaeological Museum** operates on-site with findings from the excavations
- The site is extensive and without shade — prefer **morning or afternoon** and bring water and a hat
- It is located near **Nea Moudania** and Gerakini, easily accessible from all of Halkidiki

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Source: <https://chalkidikihub.gr/en/activities/ancient-olynthos>
Type: TouristAttraction · Halkidiki, Greece