Located just 15 km from the villa, the ruins of Ancient Olynthus offer visitors a fascinating journey through the history of the region. The area of Olynthus has been inhabited since the Neolithic Period (5300–4500 BC). The name “Olynthus” is of pre-Greek origin and is believed to mean “wild fig tree.” According to tradition, the city was named after Olynthus, the son of the river god Strymon.
The city of the Classical period was designed according to the Hippodamian urban planning system, with residential blocks divided by horizontal and vertical streets. One remarkable fact is that the city’s theatre has never been discovered. The houses featured two floors and an internal courtyard, while the marketplace was located in the southern part of the city and the residences of wealthy citizens in the east. The first archaeological discoveries were made in 1928, while the most recent excavations took place during the 1990s.
Since 1998, the archaeological site of Ancient Olynthus has included an Archaeological Museum, offering visitors a complete overview of the ancient city’s history and presenting the findings of the excavations.