A little about Delphi – established in the 6th century BC was a religious center and symbol of unity of the ancient Greek world. Delphi lies between two towering rocks of Mt. Parnassus, known as the Phaidriades (Shining) Rocks, in the Regional unit of Phocis in Central Greece. Here lies the Pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Apollo, the Olympian god of light, knowledge and harmony. The area was inhabited in the 2nd millennium BC, as is evident from Mycenaean remains (1500-1100 BC).
The development of the sanctuary and oracle began in the 8th century BC, and their religious and political influence over Greece increased in the 6th century BC. At the same time, their fame and prestige spread throughout the world, and pilgrims came to the site to receive guidance from the oracle of Pythia, the priestess of Apollo. A place with a rich intangible heritage, Delphi was considered the center of the world (omphalos) in the eyes of the ancient Greeks: according to myth, it was the meeting point of two eagles released by Zeus, one to the East and one in the West. The magnificent monumental complex is a human-made environment in perfect harmony with the rare natural environment, the principal features of which gave rise to the organization of the cults.
The temple of Apollo was constructed in 510 BC, and money was raised by many Greek cities under the auspices of the Alcmaeonids of Athens. When an earthquake destroyed this temple in 373 BC, the Greek cities collected money again and built the temple, which was accomplished in ca 330 BC. The center was the statue of the god and the omphalos (navel of the earth), whereas in the vestibule were inscribed the Delphic maxims of the seven wise men of Ancient Greece.
The theater was open-air and could seat hundreds of people. The Greeks believed that a healthy body included a happy mind.
The Delphi Museum and site are interesting and worth the trip to view the Greek Classical site and worship the Olympian gods. The Oracle provided guidance and wisdom in many decisions. F m Delphi, additional ruins can be seen below in the valley.
Giddy had arranged to meet the oracle but was incarnated as an evil deity. After we visited the site, Giddy was released into our custody and warned not to return. So, Giddy spent his time in security while we enjoyed the Delphi site. I had to ask him why they thought he was a deity- his response from Ghostbusters movie “When someone asks if you are a god”, the reply needs to be yes.
The buildings and clock tower are interesting and make a nice stop after visiting the archaeological site. We had a lovely lunch of traditional Greek foods and some ouzo at Bakxos.
I found the old flour or grape press interesting.
Delphi is a pleasant visit and an essential part of Greek history. While not in my top five sites to visit, we had an enjoyable time there and could have explored the town more. We didn’t receive an audience with the Oracle since I was asking what next week’s lottery numbers would be.
Stay tuned for our next stop,