The interior had been converted into a church over the centuries.

I really have my doubts about the accuracy of this image but it does seem to convey the overwhelming impression that the statue left on people who saw it.

The Greek travel writer Pausanias wrote about it: "The god is seated on a throne, he is made of gold and ivory, on his head is a wreath made in imitation of the sprays of olive. In his right hand he carries a Nike (Victory), also of ivory and gold; she wears a ribbon, and on her head is a wreath. In the left hand of the god is a scepter

... the bird perched on the scepter is an eagle. The sandals of the god are of gold, and so is his robe. On the robe are wrought figures of animals and lily flowers. The throne is adorned with gold and precious stones, also with ebony and ivory; and there are figures painted, and images wrought on it. There are four Victories in the attitude of dancing at each foot of the throne, and two others at the bottom of each foot. ...

I know that measurements of the height and breadth of the Zeus of Olympia have been recorded, but I cannot praise the men who took them. For even the measurements fall far short of the impression made by the image upon the spectator. Verily the god himself, they say, bore witness to the art of Phidias. For when the image was completed Phidias prayed that the god would give a sign if the work were to his mind, and immediately, they say, Zeus hurled a thunderbolt into the ground at the spot where a bronze urn stood at the time of my visit.

The ground in front of the image is flagged not with white but with black stone. Round about the black pavement runs a raised edge of Parian marble, to keep in the olive oil that is poured out. For oil is good for the image of Olympia, and it is this which keeps it from suffering through the marshy situation of the Altis [river]."