Formerly part of the territory of Cleonae in ancient Argolis, it is today situated in the regional unit of Corinthia.

Nemea was famous in Greek myth as the home of the Nemean Lion, which was killed by the hero Heracles,[1] and as the place where the infant Opheltes, lying on a bed of parsley, was killed by a serpent while his nurse Hypsipyle fetched water for the Seven against Thebes on their way from Argos to Thebes.

[2] At the temenos, the grave of Opheltes was surrounded by open-air altars and enclosed within a stone wall.

The tumulus nearby was credited as the burial mound of his father, and the men of Argos had the privilege of naming the priest of Nemean Zeus, Pausanias was informed when he visited in the late 2nd century CE.

[5] The site around the temple has been excavated in annual campaigns since 1973: the great open-air altar, baths, and ancient accommodations for visitors have been unearthed.

It is notable for its well-preserved vaulted entrance tunnel, dated to about 320 BC, with ancient graffiti on the walls.

[6] In 394 BC the Battle of the Nemea River was fought between Sparta and her Achaian, Elean, Mantinean, and the Tegeate allies against a coalition of Boeotians, Euboeans, Athenians, Corinthians, and Argives.

The tunnel serves to prove that Ancient Greek architects understood how to create the complex architectural form.

Athletes would use this space to prepare for the competitions by removing their clothing and rubbing their body with olive oil.

All Greeks gathered for the celebration, and there was established a sacred truce to suspend all wars and hostilities so everyone could come see the competition.

Farming activity and robbing of the building materials in the post-classical period has caused extensive damage to the site, so that only the limestone foundations of the oikoi remain.

The eighth oikos, which is located much farther east, features a well in its back room that could have been used in association with preparing and eating meals.

The ninth oikos was used as a cooking area for the conjoined dining establishment but suffered early destruction.

Located just southwest of the dining establishment, there were four kilns that used to produce roof tiles most likely during the later years of the 4th century BC when the site was renovated with funding from the Macedonian kings.