The first attempt to revive the ancient Olympic Games was made in 1838

With the liberation and establishment of the new Greek state, Pyrgos has now become the capital of Ilia. According to some report that exists from that time, in 1838, for the first time a proposal came from the Municipality of Letrina (that was the official name of the Tower at the time, from the ancient city of Letrina) the revival of the ancient Olympic Games that were held in neighboring Olympia . The proposal that came from a group of archaeologists suggested holding the games in Pyrgos every four years.