Delphi is the ancient Greek navel of the Earth. Temple of Apollo at Delphi: from ancient myths to the present day

Soaked in ancient myths mysterious country has an incredibly vibrant culture, and traveling through it, getting to know the main sights, is a pleasure. Visiting the cradle of mankind is a dream of many tourists who appreciate the unique opportunity to combine beach holiday And exciting excursions in Greece.

Delphi is a symbol of the country, shrouded in legends, and a mystical corner with the strongest energy that unites the gods and ordinary people. A sacred place protected by UNESCO, many will recognize by the image famous temple Pythian Apollo.

The legend of the origin of the city

What do myths say about the spiritual and religious center Ancient Greece?

Delphi is the territory where two eagles met, which were released by Zeus the Thunderer from different parts of the earth so that they would find its middle. Having learned where the birds met, the formidable sky god threw a stone at this place - a monolithic block, thereby marking the center of the world. The ancient cult object was called the "navel of the Earth".

According to legend, originally there was a sanctuary guarded by the serpent Python. The patron of the arts, Apollo, destroyed the monster, and a new temple appeared on this site, which was erected by the Cretan sailors who arrived here, accompanied by the god reincarnated as a dolphin.

This myth, which tells of the victory of the son of Zeus over Python, was often played out at constant performances in the ancient city that grew up around the sanctuary.

Modern resort and archaeological museum

I must say that Delphi (Greece) consists of two parts: a modern urban resort and an archaeological reserve on the slopes. Popular tourist centre, hosting thousands of guests, was established in 1892, and the territory of the sacred place, according to official data, was inhabited by tribes in the 14th century BC.

The Rise and Fall of the Sanctuary

It is known that only after the reign of the cult of Apollo were the first temples erected. The political and religious influence of the city gradually grew, expanding its borders. The second most important Greek competition after the Olympics, the Pythian Games, were held here every four years.

Between the 6th and 4th centuries BC, the greatest flowering of the sanctuary is observed. Hundreds of people flock to Delphi (Greece) to receive the prophecy of the oracles and ask for the advice of the gods. Rich offerings of grateful residents even overshadowed the majestic temple with luxury. For example, a sculpture of Apollo cast in gold was such a generous gift. Numerous gifts allowed the city to build a stadium and a theater.

However, already during the period of Roman rule, the attitude of emperors towards the religious center was ambiguous: some rulers treated the city favorably, while others plundered it mercilessly.

With the spread of rationalism, the glory of the oracle begins to fade. In 394, the Byzantine emperor by his decree put an end to the activities of the sanctuary, which influenced the course of world history, and after the reign of Christianity, Delphi (Greece) became an episcopal see. Over time, the ruins that the sanctuary has turned into go underground, and in the Middle Ages no one remembered about it. At this place, the settlement of Kastri appears, where connoisseurs of ancient artifacts began to arrive.

The main temple of ancient Greece

Historical corners, which are well-groomed ruins, where specialists work, turn into museums and are called archaeological parks (sites). It is such a place that the sanctuary of Apollo is recognized - a true treasure of the country. In Delphi, which is known to many from the school desk, travelers flock to get acquainted with an important religious monument.

Pythian prophecies

In ancient times, sacred rites related to the cult took place in the temple, and the prophecy procedure was the main one. Here was the main oracle of Ancient Greece, and thousands of pilgrims, looking for answers to exciting questions, came to the city. All the inhabitants of Hellas wanted to know their future, and soon locality turns into the most revered sanctuary.

Tourists notice that the temple is located above a deep crack, from under which strange vapors flowed many centuries ago. The fact is that the city of Delphi (Greece) is dotted with geological faults. The gases released to the surface produced a slight narcotic effect and put the soothsayers into a trance.

The inhabitants believed that it made its way through stone foundation the stinking breath of a serpent cast down by Apollo. The Pythia breathed in vapors and fell into a frenzy, and when she spoke prophecies, it was believed that Apollo himself spoke through her mouth. The priests of the temple - the profits - gave chaotic statements a poetic form, interpreting the messages of God in their own way.

The Delphic soothsayers, who became both very young girls and aged women, predicted the Trojan War and the campaign of the Argonauts.

History of the Temple of Apollo

According to myths, the first building dedicated to Apollo was built from laurel branches, later huts appeared from beeswax and copper, and the last one consisted of tuff - rock from volcanic ash.

In 548 BC, a fire raged in the city, and the building died in a fire, after which the Athenian Alcmaeonid family thought about building majestic temple in honor of the deity. The rectangular building, built on contributions from local residents, surrounded by columns, surprised with decorated pediments, the main character of which was Apollo. Unfortunately, the Delphi of Ancient Greece suffered from a strong earthquake, and the sanctuary was completely destroyed. Only in 330 BC a new temple was born.

It is its ruins that tourists are now observing, and fragments of the pediments are exhibited in the archaeological museum of the city. Very little is known about the interior of the sacred place. As scientists say, the altar of Poseidon, the monumental statue of God, the image of Homer made of copper were lost.

Symbol of the center of the world

The temple also contained the famous omphalos - a conical stone with unusual patterns, which is known as the "navel of the Earth".

Currently, it is in a museum, and in the archaeological reserve, tourists see only a copy of the artifact that Delphi (Greece) is rightly proud of. Enthusiastic tourists love to take photos of an unusual exhibit, striving also to touch the stone. It is believed that this will bring good luck for life.

open museum

For about forty years, until 1901, archaeological excavations of the ruins of the temple were going on. After clearing, they became available to all tourists who came to Delphi (Greece). The sights, the photos of which will make the heart beat with delight, will take visitors many centuries back. The museum, open to all guests, will introduce unique exhibits of the early Christian era.

The ruins are always crowded. There are many who want to see with their own eyes the greatest shrine, and such interest is explained by the diversity of the architectural complex.

Religious Monument Treasury

The most significant building of a religious building is the treasury of the Athenians, made of marble. In a small room that appeared at the turn of the 6th - 5th centuries BC, not only items dedicated to Apollo were stored, but also military trophies that were taken to Delphi (Greece).

During the long time of the existence of the temple, the most outstanding works of art have accumulated here. It is curious that the treasury is the only well-preserved monument ancient city, to which French specialists returned their original appearance in 1906 under the close supervision of the mayor of Athens. Now it can be seen on the way to the sanctuary.

Delphic theater

In the temple of Apollo there was also an amphitheater for five thousand spectators, about which modern scientists know almost everything. Religious holidays and sports games were held in the spacious building. The famous landmark, which has undergone several restorations, acquired its current appearance in the Roman era. Unfortunately, over the centuries architectural monument badly affected by time.

What else to see in Delphi?

commit educational excursion to the past is very simple - just visit Delphi, which has a special atmosphere of Greek grandeur. A true masterpiece presented to all mankind ancient civilization, will touch the thin strings of the soul and give tourists unforgettable minutes.

Delphi (Δελφοί) - ancient greek city in southwestern Phokis, Greece. The population of Delphi is 1500 people. (2012). Delphi area - 315 km². Coordinates: 38°29′00″ s. sh. 22°30′00″ in. d. Telephone code Delphi: +30 22650. Postal code Delphi: 33054. Car code Delphi: AM. Official website of the city of Delphi: www.delfi.gr.

History of Delphi

Delphi was guarded by Amphiktiopia - an association of 12 tribes who lived next to the sanctuary and kept order in it after the first "Holy War" (595-586 BC). The Amphikgions made Delphi an autonomous state that prospered with the help of benefactors, including the kings of Lydia and Egypt, and later the emperor Hadrian.

The sanctuary survived the fire of 548 BC. and the earthquake of 373 BC, and in the 3rd century BC. was captured by the Aetolians and then by the Romans in 191 BC. Despite the fact that the Roman emperor Sulla sacked the sanctuary in 86 BC, other emperors, fearing to anger the gods, preserved the rituals held at Delphi until the 2nd century AD, when the oracle's fame began to decline. In the end, the sanctuary was abolished by the Byzantine emperor Theodosius at the end of the 4th century AD. e. By the 7th century in this territory a new settlement of Kastri arose. Much of what we know about Delphi comes from the writings of the Athenian geographer Pausanias, who lived in the 2nd century.

Delphi today

Delphi Map

Attractions Delphi

Sanctuary of Apollo, where the Delphic oracle (that is, the soothsayer) was located, is located on the left side of the main road if you go towards Arachova. A hundred meters to the right of the museum (follow the paved path) you will notice the brick Roman Agora.

To the right of the main entrance, steps begin that lead to the Sacred Way, which gradually rises in turns up to the ruins of the Doric temple of Apollo. Entering the territory, you will pass by several stone foundations. The first is a pedestal on which stood a statue of a bull, donated to the city by the inhabitants of Corfu (Kekira). Immediately behind this pedestal, on the right, one can see the ruins of the sacrificial gift of the Lacedaemonians, with which they celebrated a military victory. The next two semicircular buildings on both sides of the Sacred Way were erected by the Argives (inhabitants of Argos). To their right was the monument to the kings of Argos.

In ancient times, along the Sacred Way there were treasuries and statues donated by the city-states - Athens, Sikyon, Sifnos, Knidos and Thebes, who thus thanked the god Apollo for divination. To the north of the restored Athenian treasury are the ruins of the bouleuterium (house for the meetings of the Council of Elders).

The main building in the sanctuary was the temple of Apollo, dating from the 4th century BC, it contained a statue of Apollo and an altar where an unquenchable fire burned. In the vestibule of the temple one could see the inscriptions made by the Greek philosophers: "Know thyself" and "Measure is the most important thing." These sayings are called the Delphic commandments.

Above the temple is a well-preserved theater dating from the 4th century BC. In the 1st century BC. it was restored at the expense of the kings of Pergamon. A magnificent panorama opens up from the top row of seats. During the Pythian Games, which, like Olympic Games, were held every four years, performances were staged in this theater. From the theatre, a path leads to the most well-preserved stadium in Greece. Note the strip of carved stones on the east side of the stadium - this is the starting line for sprinters. Sometimes the entrance to the stadium is limited due to rockfall.

From the sanctuary of Apollo, a paved road leads to Arachova in parallel main road and ends at the Castal spring, located to the left of the road. In this place, pilgrims performed ablutions before coming to the oracle (at the time of writing the guidebook, the source was closed to the public - work was underway to strengthen the crumbling slope of the mountain).

Across the road, to the west of the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia ("Seer"), you will see the ruins of an ancient gymnasium. On the upper terrace in this place were two tracks for joggers; wrestlers trained on the lower terrace; after training, they bathed in a large round pool filled with water from a spring. The pool can still be seen among the ruins.

Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia. Behind the building of the gymnasium is the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia - a place where in the 4th century. BC. there was a tholos (rotunda; admission is free) - the most stunning monument in Delphi. An elegant round building was supported by 20 columns standing on a three-stage platform; three columns were reconstructed in the 1940s. The white sections of the colony are the marble from which they were originally built. The darker fragments represent the material used during the reconstruction.

To the west of the tholos are the ruins of the temple of Athena Pronaia. This is all that remains of a rectangular building, which was badly damaged by a rockfall and an earthquake that destroyed and most tholosa.

Archaeological Museum at Delphi(www.culture.gr/war/index_en.jsp; ticket to the museum or to the territory adults €6, adults/students ticket to the territory+museum €9/5, in winter on Sundays free of charge; in summer, Sun-Tue 08.30 -15.00, Wed-Sat 08.00-20.00, in winter 08.00-14.45) Approximately from the 8th century. BC. Ancient Delphi has turned into a real treasury, some of these riches can be seen in the museum.

In room number 5, located next to the entrance to the museum, you will see the Naxos Sphinx (560 BC).

Also in this room are well-preserved fragments of the figured frieze of the Sifnos treasury, which depicts the battle of the gods with the giants and the judgment of Paris (in the far left corner from the entrance), who was asked to choose the most beautiful goddess (Paris chose Aphrodite). Hall 3 contains two unique specimens of kouros (statues of young men, 6th century BC), known as the “Argive twins”.

In the halls on the left are fragments of the metopes of the Athenian treasury (metope - a plate on a frieze, decorated with a relief). They depict the exploits of Hercules, the deeds of Theseus and the battle of the Amazons (room number 7). Further on you will see the high Akapfskaya Column (room No. 11), on the top of which are depicted three dancing women. Next to the column is an omphalos (“navel of the earth” - a marble statue in the form of a cone that once stood in a place that the ancients considered the center of the world. In the last room, the famous life-size bronze statue of a charioteer is displayed - it was erected in memory about the victory in the Pythian Games in 478 BC (according to other sources, 474 BC).

Sikelianos Museum(Museum of the Delphic Games; by appointment only, entrance fee €1). For lovers of Greek drama, we advise you to go to the small museum of Sikelianos, located in a neoclassical mansion overlooking Delphi. The museum is dedicated to the Greek poet Angelos Sikelianos and his American wife Eva Palmsr, who together in the late 1920s secured the status of Delphi as a European center of drama and visual arts. The museum displays masks, costumes and photographs. Every year in July in the European cultural center in Delphi, for 10 days, an art festival is held - the Delphic Games.

Among the actors and musicians there are stars - people whom we may never have seen, but their name has been heard for sure. Among the cities of the world, known since ancient times, the city of Delphi Greece is a star of the first magnitude. Such exciting words as the Oracle, the Pythia, the sanctuary of Apollo are associated with Delphi. We really wanted to visit Delphi, to see it all with our own eyes.

Let me explain the situation right away: the place in Greece, which we call Delphi, consists of two parts: 1 - a modern town with hotels and 2 - archaeological park, a reserve or, as it is officially called, a site (not to be confused with sites on the Internet).

I will not confuse the story of ancient Delphi with the town of Delphi, to which we arrived from, after adventures with. In this article - a story about Delphi today. Where to stay, how much does a hotel cost in Delphi, how much does it cost to eat in Delphi, useful information for tourists.

Street in Delphi

Streets in Delphi - terraces

Delphi on the map of Greece

Scientists have not yet established when this settlement was formed. But it is clear that these are not the remains of an ancient city. Most likely, the city arose after the sanctuary of Apollo had lost its political and religious power.

Now numerous tourists from all over the world come to Delphi to stay for the night before visiting the archaeological park and museum nearby, relax, enjoy natural beauty Delphi, feel the flavor of this mysterious place.

View of the valley from the balcony

Where is Delphi

Delphi is located on the territory of Phokis. This - mainland Greece. The city is located on Mount Parnassus, in picturesque place. From almost anywhere (from a hotel, home, cafe) you can see the valley with olive groves and the Corinthian Gulf.

Delphi Map

The distance from Delphi to Athens is about 180 km, from Delphi to Kalambaki, where the famous ones are located, about 300 km. Through the Gulf of Corinth - the Peloponnese peninsula, and 120 km - the city where the relics of St. Andrew are located. By the way, in the temple itself there is no queue to the relics of the saint.

As a rule, Russian tourists go to Delphi in the summer to visit archaeological park. European tourists know that Delphi is good in winter. The slopes of the mountains were chosen by skiers.

Delphi in winter Greece

11 km from Delphi small town Arachova - ski slope.

There are 3 campsites near Delphi. In the city itself, there are practically 4 main streets located in terraces.

Everything on the streets is for tourists - hotels, shops, taverns, where it is a pleasure to sit, thanks to the view from the balconies.

There is a square in the city where they hang out in the evening locals all ages, the church of St. Nicholas, banks, post office.

Square and Church of St. Nicholas in Delphi

The city is quite densely populated. The population is approximately 1500 people. And a lot of tourists.

How to get to Delphi

The easiest way to get to Delphi is by car. The road is comfortable, although at the entrance to Delphi (we were driving from Meteora) there were warning signs - slippery road and ice. Indeed, the turn is quite steep, at the bottom there is a cliff; in winter or during rains in this area, you should drive carefully.

People go to Delphi all the time tourist buses. Booking an excursion to Delphi from almost anywhere in Greece is not a problem.

On your own, you can get from Athens to Delphi by bus. From the bus station st. Losion 260.

This site has a bus schedule, including to the city of Delphi: watch here

On the Internet, we found the following bus schedule from Athens to Delphi:

How to get to the bus station in Athens? From the center of Athens, for example?

The bus station is located at Attica metro station.

Up to st. the Attica metro station can be reached from the center of Athens from the Syntagma metro station, for example.

1. By subway. On a beautiful branch from Art. Metro Syntagma to the station. Attica (ticket costs = 1.40 euros and is valid for 90 minutes with transfers to any other land transport).

With the same ticket, you change to a bus (any of these - B12, 024,701,704,711,719 ...) go 4 stops and walk 60 meters to the bus station.

According to the schedule, a ticket to Delphi costs = 15.10 euros. Travel time 2 hours 30 minutes.

There is another way: According to the Lonely planet guide (guidebook), from the terminal Mavromateon station (FYI - Victoria metro) there are 6 daily flights to Delphi. The ticket price is 13 euros.

Tip: in Athens it is convenient to take a ticket for transport, which is valid for 24 hours without restrictions on the number of transfers to any land transport. It costs 4 euros.

In Delphi, transport tickets are not needed. Everything is within walking distance.

Useful information about Delphi

Prices for hotels in Delphi

Prices vary, but are quite reasonable. Really find a room in a hotel or boarding house for 40 € per day. If you are traveling by car or in a camper, you can stay at. There are also apartments, which is also incredibly convenient.

Delphi lives off tourism, so you shouldn't worry that you won't find something or get lost. Already somewhere, where, but in Delphi the tourist will not be lost!

How much does it cost to eat in Delphi?

Food prices are the same as in other cities of Greece - democratic. Depend on the cafe / tavern, its location. WITH beautiful view- expensive. Sit in a cafe - 10-15 euros.

You can have lunch from 15 -20 euros for lunch. If you take alcohol, it is already more expensive. Although the wine itself in Greece, in shops is inexpensive: 3 euros can cost 1 liter of simple young wine.

Collection wines have different prices.

Delphi. Useful Phones

Tourist Information Office Tel: +30 22650 82 900

Bus station (bus) Phone: +30 22650 82317

Amfissa Hospital at a distance of 20 km, phone: +30 22 650 22222, 22650 28400

Delphi Police, Phone: +30 22650 82 222

Delphi Tourist Police, Phone: +30 22650 82 220

Delphi Road to the Sanctuary of Apollo

As a rule, tourists stay in the city for 2-3 days. We spent 2 days (1 night) in Delphi.

We arrived in the afternoon and checked into our hotel. We walked around the city, tried local food, got acquainted with the flavor of the town. In the morning we went to. We spent the whole day on the site and in the evening, taking things from the hotel, we went further - on a trip around.

Sights of Greece -
Temple of Apollo at Delphi

In the photo: Temple of Apollo - general view

Delphi is an ancient Greek city located in southwestern Phocis, located north of the Corinthian Gulf on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. This is a city with richest history and is full of places of great interest to historians, archaeologists and tourists.

The city of Delphi, which was once the center of the entire Hellenic world, thanks to the temple of Apollo located here and the Delphic oracle, has practically disappeared from the face over the centuries, and the village of Kastri eventually arose on its ruins. This continued until, in 1892, the French Archaeological School in Athens began systematic excavations in the village of Kastri, after moving it 1.6 kilometers to the west. Thus, the great treasures of ancient Greece were again revealed to the world.

Associated with Delphi and the Temple of Apollo interesting legends. According to the myths of the ancients, when Zeus the Thunderer decided to determine the center of the world, he simultaneously released huge eagles from the west and east, which met over Delphi. The center of the world has been marked memorial sign- an omphalos, on the sides of which sculptures of two golden eagles were installed. Today this place is often called the "Navel of the Earth".

Another legend says that Apollo, being the illegitimate son of the Thunderer and the mortal woman Lethe, even before his birth, he was subjected to countless persecutions from the lawful wife of Zeus - Hera. She sent the giant snake Python (Python) to destroy Lethe and her son. When Apollo grew up and got stronger, he killed the serpent and walled it up in the rock. But the poison of the snake was so strong that cracks began to appear in the walls of the rock-tomb from its stench. And then one day, not far from such a crack, a shepherd decided to rest. As he fell asleep, he inhaled the poisonous fumes emanating from the rock, and pictures of the future opened before him. The priests, who learned about this, drove the shepherd away, and the legendary architects Trophonius and Agamed built the sanctuary of Apollo at the place of his halt.

Ancient Delphi was located at the foot of Mount Parnassus - the habitat of the god Apollo, the patron of the arts, and his companions - the nine muses. According to the ancient Greeks, here was the center of the earth. This is how Delphi was depicted on ancient maps. Here, among the ruins of an ancient sanctuary, the "navel of the Earth" is still preserved - a marble statue, on the surface of which ribbons are depicted pulling it. The Greeks called it Omphalos.

The Sacred Road led to the temple of Apollo, on its sides there were many beautiful statues donated to the temple by whole nations and individuals. The inhabitants of Athens set along sacred road the figures of Apollo, Athena, the deified king Erechtheus and the commander Miltiades, who won the Battle of Marathon. The main rivals of the Athenians, the Spartans, donated statues of the Dioscuri brothers, Zeus, Apollo, Artemis and Poseidon. The number of all statues exceeded three thousand.

Behind the alley of statues, treasuries began, where the precious gifts of the inhabitants were kept. different cities accumulated over many centuries.

In front of the wall of the temple of Apollo, visitors were greeted by a statue of a sphinx, donated by the inhabitants of the island of Naxos. It was an exact copy of the Delian Sphinx, which once stood in the homeland of Apollo - the island of Delos.

The Temple of Apollo at Delphi has been considered the most sacred place on the ground. Here stood a golden statue of Apollo, inside of which there was a special sanctuary - the Delphic oracle - a place where the Pythia sat on a ritual tripod - a priestess who conveyed God's messages to people, she uttered prophecies that were believed to come from Apollo himself.

She uttered prophecies not by itself, but under the influence of poisonous volcanic fumes that came out of a crack in the mountain, they were the source of hallucinations. The crack itself was also in the temple, but on this moment not found. Only ether crystals have been found.

Starting from the VI century. BC e. there were three pythonesses. Before looking beyond the veil separating the present from the future, the Pythians devoured huge quantities of laurel leaves (laurel is one of the symbols of Apollo). The leaves of this plant contain potassium cyanine, which leads to hallucinations, and if consumed in excess, even death.

The most famous prediction was given to the Lydian king Croesus (546 BC). To his question - is it worth it to start a war with the Persians, the oracle replied: "Croesus, Alice, having crossed, will destroy the great kingdom" (Alice is a border river). Croesus was defeated and his kingdom was conquered by the Persians. The priests of the temple said that the prediction came true, since the oracle did not specify which kingdom would be destroyed.

It is difficult to overestimate the influence of Delphi in everything Hellenistic world. At the time of its heyday, Delphi was truly buried in gold. Every Greek city-state considered it their duty to make a generous sacrifice to Apollo. Cities left their gifts in special vaults - treasuries. The best preserved of them is the Athenian. Like the building itself, so all its contents were a gift from Athens to Delphi.

This situation was not to everyone's liking. The famous fabulist Aesop, who visited Delphi, managed to quarrel with all the priests, accusing them that their predictions were false, and they themselves were mired in luxury. For such words, he was thrown off the cliff. True, later the priests repented of their deed and even fell in love with Aesop's fables.

During the heyday of the Greek policies, the priesthood of the temple of Apollo was under the influence of aristocratic Sparta. The Pythian Games took place here - pan-Greek festivities in memory of the victory of Apollo over Python. They were held first every eight years, then every four years. Initially, it was a competition of poets and musicians, whose patron was Apollo, but from 586 BC. e. sports competitions were also included in the program of the games. The last Pythian Games took place in 394 AD. e. At the same time, the emperor Theodosius I was completely ruined and closed the temple itself.

Rome also influenced the temple - for some time the oracle of Apollo continued to operate during the reign of the Roman emperors. Several shops were even built where pilgrims could buy and sell things. Later, a small church was also founded here, of which only ruins now remain.

When the temple of Apollo was excavated, it turned out that it had been destroyed by earthquakes and plundered to such an extent that there was practically nothing here except the foundation. However, during the excavations, so many old building structures were found, so that in 1939-1940, French archaeologists managed to restore one column completely and seven more partially.

Ancient amphitheater at Delphi

After passing the temple, the Sacred Road turns west, runs along its northern side, and then again turns at a right angle and ascends the steps to a higher level, to the theater. To the north of the retaining wall along the Sacred Way stood a bronze sculptural group - a chariot drawn by four horses (circa 470 BC), from which only the figure of a charioteer survived, the rarest authentic example of early antique bronze sculpture. This masterpiece is on display at the local museum.

The northwest corner of the sanctuary is occupied by an open theatre, built in the 4th century BC and rebuilt several times. The amphitheater, designed for 5000 spectators, is well preserved, but only the foundation survived from the stage building. To the east of the theatre, the spring of Kassotida came to the surface, and even further to the east, the ruins of the forest of Cnidus (about 468-465 BC) are barely visible, i.e. places where visitors can have fun and relax. This lescha was especially famous for the frescoes of Polygnotus, an Athenian painter of the mid-5th century BC. The murals depicting scenes of the Trojan War are described in detail by Pausanias, but only minor fragments of painted plaster were found in the ruins.

Stadium

To the northwest of the theatre, even higher up the slope is an ancient stadium. The well-preserved rows of stone benches and the markings of the running track give a clear idea of ​​what the venue for athletic competitions at the Pythian Games looked like. The foundations of the stadium date back to the 5th century BC, and an inscription dating back to the same time forbids bringing new wine to the stadium under the threat of a fine of five drachmas. The stadium had 7,000 seats, much large quantity spectators could stand on the slope that towered over the stadium.

The ruins of the gymnasium

To the east of the sanctuary is the Kastalsky spring, a plentiful spring gushing from the rock. Below the sanctuary, south modern road the ruins of a gymnasium with a long colonnade, a round pool and facilities for athletic training are visible. Even further to the southeast (this place is called Marmaria) in a special enclosure was the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia. There were two temples dedicated to Athena, one from the 6th century BC, the other from the 4th century BC.

Tholos - Delphi

Between them are the ruins of a tholos, a round structure made of marble (about 400 BC), one of the finest structures in Delphi. Twenty Doric columns supported the architrave, on which rested a sculptural frieze depicting the battle of the Amazons with the centaurs. Inside the cella, also in a circle, stood ten Corinthian columns opening into the gaps with amazingly beautiful capitals.

Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia

The three outer Doric columns, together with part of the architrave, were reconstructed by French archaeologists in 1938. Between this round building and the archaic temple of Athena to the east were two treasuries, one of which belonged to the Massilians, built between 535 and 530 BC.

Treasures recovered during archaeological sites, exhibited in the local museum, located between the sanctuary of Apollo and the modern settlement. On the slopes of Mount Parnassus (1420 meters) rising above Delphi, there is the famous Koriki grotto, dedicated to Pan and the Muses.

The modern village of Delphi is located 1 km from the archaeological site. There are restaurants, bars, cafes, shops, hotels of various categories, as well as museums and the School of Arts at the service of vacationers. The European Center of Culture has been established in Delphi, where seminars, exhibitions of artists and sculptors are often held.

12 km from Delphi on Mount Parnassus at an altitude of 2459 m is located ski center. Modern lifts in just 15 minutes will allow you to get to the highest point, from where 20 ski slopes(some of them Olympic category) you can go down to the level of 600 meters. In winter, the ski center "Parnassus" is a favorite vacation spot for tourists and residents of the capital.

Delphi was ancient Greek city, the place is known as the "navel of the earth", the most important religious center antiquity.

In ancient times, there was a sanctuary of Apollo in Delphi, it performed various functions: it was a place of worship for pilgrims, mostly people came to hear the prediction of the Pythia (priestesses-soothsayers Delphic oracle); place of political influence; the Pythian Games were also held here, sports competitions were on a par with the Olympic ones in importance; the place served as the city treasury; people came here for healing, judging by the buildings dedicated to the god Asclepius and the god Hypnos.

To hear the Pythia's advice on everyday or global issues, people traveled great distances just to find out the answer to their question. Although under an hour, the Pythia gave a completely indistinct answer, and sometimes she simply shouted, and then the priests interpreted it as best they could. It is known that Pythia chewed a bay leaf and breathed vapors of poisonous gases coming out of a crevice, which caused her to fall into ecstasy.

Archaeological excavations here began in 1987. Now Delphi is a monument that is under the protection of UNESCO, it is located on the southern slopes of Parnassus and maintains a steady historical and archaeological interest of visitors.

Attractions Delphi:

Ruins of the Temple of Apollo

The ruins of the Temple of Apollo, which we see today, belong to the construction of 330 BC. Fires and earthquakes destroyed the former temples on this site. The Temple of Apollo is the most important part of Delphi, as the main rites were held here. The nave of the temple is divided into three parts with two rows of columns, each of which had eight Ionic columns. At a lower level, in the nave, there was a sanctuary where the Pythia was located and only the clergy had the right to enter this sanctuary. The god Apollo and giants were depicted on the pediments of the temple.

Sanctuary of Athena Pronia (Pronaia). tholos

Perhaps the most magnificent building of Delphi is the surviving remains of the sanctuary of the goddess Athena Pronia (Athena the Soothsayer) - 12 columns. According to archaeologists, they had the greatest thinning and are considered the most slender in all Hellenic architecture. A round building towered nearby - the Great Tholos, made of Pentelian marble, surrounded on all sides by columns. Tholos is a round temple, surrounded by columns on all sides. This architectural structure dates from the end of the 5th and the beginning of the 4th century BC.

Castal spring

The holy water of the spring served to wash all who entered the holy land of Delphi. First of all, ritual ablution was performed by the Pythia, the clergy, the temple staff, then those who came to listen to the oracle and the reader of thoughts. It was believed that Castal water cleanses from filth. The Kastal spring originates in the rock of Phidriadon (Φαιδριάδων) and flows east of the sanctuary of Apollo, then it flows into the river Plaist flowing through the gorge.

The name of the source is related to mythical nymph Castalia, who was pursued by Apollo in love, and the girl had to jump into the water to escape his persecution.

Treasury of the Athenians

The Treasury of the Athenians was one of the most significant and impressive buildings of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. It was a sort of Athens vault, containing the trophies of the city's important battle victories and other objects dedicated to the sanctuary of Apollo. The treasury was built during the reign of the Athenian democracy, at the end of the 6th or the beginning of the 5th century BC.

This is a small Doric temple, made of Parian marble, on the relief metopes the exploits of Hercules and Theseus were depicted. Ancient inscriptions with texts were found on the walls of the temple itself, which were especially important for the study of ancient life and customs of the Greeks. On south side, closer to east corner, unique ancient texts-hymns to Apollo were found, now they have found a worthy place in the archaeological museum in Delphi.

Theater in Delphi

In the northwestern part of the complex, there is an ancient Delphic theater, the theater was built in the 4th century BC. e., its restoration took place in the II century. This is one of the few theaters of antiquity, about which there is exact data on both the date of creation and its purpose, which it had for centuries. The theater was designed for 5 thousand spectators, it hosted performances, concerts of instrumental music and vocals, as part of the glorification of the Pythia and various other religious holidays.

Ancient stadium of Delphi

The ancient stadium of Delphi is the only stadium in Greece with an arched triumphal entrance. The design of the stadium resembles a hairpin - two parallel strips are connected into a semicircle. The total capacity is 5,000 spectators, the length of the stadium is 177.55 m and the width is 25.50 m, the construction time is 5 in BC, the stadium served for the Pythian games.

Archaeological Museum at Delphi

The Archaeological Museum of Delphi is undoubtedly one of the most important museums in Greece. Attends Archaeological Museum Delphi has over 700,000 visitors every year, making it second in traffic to the Acropolis. Here in the best way you will get acquainted with the history of the famous Delphic temple and the famous oracle, inside there is a rich collection of sculptures, statues, metopes, etc.

Information on the archaeological site of Delphi (Delphi), by phone: +30 22650 82312

The archaeological site of Delphi is open daily from 08.00 to 20.00 (last admission at 19-30)

Single ticket: the archaeological site of Delphi and the archaeological museum in Delphi - 12 euros, 6 euros (reduced)

Where to dine, near the archaeological site of Delphi:

Tavern "To patrico mas" ("Το Πατρικο Μασ"). Tavern with traditional Greek cuisine located on main street on the road to Delphi, from here you have an excellent view of the surroundings. The food is delicious like homemade, be sure to try the local wine. Dessert is homemade kadaifi pie with nuts, etc.
Tel. +30 22650 82150
Price: from 15 EUR/person (with a glass of wine)

Tavern "Furla" ("Φούρλα"), located in the village of Chryso, it will enchant you with its picturesque beauty: charming mansions, churches, central square with a large plane tree. The tavern will please you with a rustic delicious food and a large terrace with panoramic views.
Tel. +30 22650 82908

Cafe "Ichor" ("Ιχώρ"). After you have enjoyed a delicious lunch or at other times of the day, you can visit the cafe-bar "Ιχώρ". Here, wonderful coffee is brewed, gourmet snacks, cocktails are served, be sure to try the always fresh apple pie (μηλόπιτά), cheesecake and chocolate soufflé. The cafe's unrivaled trump card is its breathtaking scenery. Tel. +30 22650 83095