Delphi and the Delphic oracle, or where the navel of the earth is located. Open Delphi left menu

Once Zeus sent two eagles from different parts of the world, according to legend, the birds were supposed to show where the center of the world was. Birds met on the territory of modern western slope Mount Parnassus at an altitude of 700 meters above sea level. It was here, in beautiful Greece, that the city of Delphi was founded. Today, only ruins remain of that city.

Legend has it that the city from the very beginning admired its holy power. It was called the oracle - a place where you can get predictions. Part of the city of Delphi belonged to the goddess of the Earth, Gaia, who, in turn, gave it to another deity. So the earth passed from hand to hand of various mythical heroes: Themis, Apollo, Posedon.

In the 7th-6th centuries BC. e. role sacred place increased. The tribes that lived in these territories always came here in order to find out the answer to their question or make an offering to the gods.

In Delphi began to hold Pythian games. The event became the second most important after Olympic Games. Sports and creative competitions were held. Games brought the city great popularity and gave impetus to development.

Attractions Delphi includes:

Temple of Apollo.
Only a few vertical pillars speak of a building that once existed on this site. Archaeologists have established that this building was a temple. Sacred ceremonies were held here. Lists of participants in the Pythian Games were kept in one of the rooms. The story goes that the temple was built on donations that were collected throughout the country. The building was rectangular in shape with rows of columns on each side. Images of various scenes from Greek mythology served as decoration.
It is known that there was omfal- an object similar to a monolithic block symbolized the "Navel of the Earth". The Archaeological Museum of Delphi contains some fragments of the temple of Apollo, which were found during excavations.

Treasury of the Athenians.
A small building was used to store various trophies and awards for important battles. On the walls of the building you can see many inscriptions that describe various holidays and customs of those years. From the inside, the walls are covered with texts describing important dates from city life. Records were kept from about the 3rd century BC. e.

polygon wall.
One part of the wall was built to protect against falling stones, while the other was erected to strengthen the soil and delineate the boundaries of the temple. About 800 different texts are written along the entire surface.

Portico of the Athenians.
The portico was built with one side leaning against a polygonal wall. Nearby there was a place of sacrifice and a temple. On the structure one can see the inscription: "The Athenians erected a portico and weapons and statues, driving out the enemies." Thanks to the text, scientists were able to determine that this building was founded in 478 BC. e.

Treasury of the Siphnians.
A small building, resembling a temple, was erected to store the donations of the Siphnians. Instead of columns, two statues of girls were built here. Nowadays, only the foundation has been preserved from the building. In the Archaeological Museum of Delphi you can also see various fragments of the ornamentation of the treasury.

Delphic Theatre.
Once upon a time, competitions were held here in the Pythian games in creativity: singing, playing the musical instruments. The total capacity is about 5 thousand seats and about 35 rows. There are small aisles between the rows. Time has greatly "patted" the theater - the architectural details of the structure are still found in different parts of Delphi.

Holy road.
Pilgrims and visitors approached the temple along the Sacred Road. Once upon a time there were statues on the first stretch of the path; treasuries were installed along the second section, and its final part was decorated with an “exhibition” of offerings to the city.

The ancient stadium of Delphi.
The stadium was built to host the Pythian games here. It was here that the sports part of these competitions was held. The stadium was designed for approximately 5,000 seats, initially people sat on the ground, but later stone benches were created. The site was set up on a slope. The entrance was represented by several arches through which the referee and the athletes themselves passed.

Tholos of Athena Pronoia. This attraction has become a symbol of the city of Delphi. However, scientists have not established the purpose for which this structure was built. A building rises between the temple of Athena and the treasury of the Massilians. The building is represented by a circular colonnade of 20 pillars. When examining the monument, several colors can be seen in the architecture. This was due to the fact that during the construction were used different materials. Decor details can be studied in more detail in the Delphi Museum.

All the sights listed are only a part of those that can be seen. Walking through the territory of Delphi can be a truly wonderful pastime for any visitor. The ancient city is listed world heritage UNESCO.

get there Delphi can be reached by bus from Athens. Travel time will be approximately 3 hours.

Panagiotis Kalthois

Orthodox

The Archaeological Reserve of Delphi is included in the World Heritage List. The excavations, which began in 1892, discovered: the Temple of the Pythian Apollo (VI-IV centuries BC), the treasuries of the Sifnos (about 525 BC), the Athenians (beginning of the 5th century BC), standing (portico gallery) of the Athenians (475 BC), theater (II century BC), stadium (VI century BC) and other buildings.

Geography

The ruins of ancient Delphi are located 9.5 km from the coast of the Gulf of Corinth (the city of Itea) on the southwestern slope of Mount Parnassus at an altitude of 700 m above sea level. The modern small settlement of Delphi is located nearby, east of the ruins. Delphi is included in the nome of Phocis. Dem (municipality) of today's Delphi since January 2011 includes the seaside town of Galaxidi.

Etymology

The Greek word Δελφοί goes back to the Indo-European root δελφύς - "womb", "womb", "womb". From here come the words αδελφός - "brother" or letters.“one-womb”, and a dolphin - “newborn baby”, “uterine” (perhaps because of the external resemblance to a baby or because the dolphin's cry is similar to the cry of a child). The reason for this name is apparently related to the fact that, in the view of the ancient Greeks, not far from the temple of Apollo was the Navel of the Earth.

Mythology

Once the share of Delphi belonged to Gaia, she gave it to Themis, and she gave it to Apollo. According to the Trezen story, Delphi was formerly held by Poseidon, and Calavria by Apollo. Later they switched places. South of the temple of Apollo at Delphi was the temple of Gaia. The statue of Apollo at Delphi in the form of a column is mentioned by Eumelus.

The city also had an oracle of Dionysus (?). According to the Orphics, there is the coffin of the elder Dionysus, he lies under a tripod or in Omphale (see Zagreus).

According to Euripides, Cadmus' warriors tried to plunder Delphi.

According to mythical tradition, the following temples of Apollo existed:

On the third temple sat six golden birds (according to Pindar "enchantress"), which fascinated visitors, and they died. Zeus struck the temple with a thunderbolt, killing the birds and hiding the temple from human eyes, while Athena endowed the birds with a prophetic gift. These birds are identified with sirens.

Story

According to archaeological data, the object of worship in Delphi since about 1600 BC. e. was a female deity associated with the cult of Mother Earth. Around 1100 the settlement falls into decay. According to archaeological data, between 1000 and 735 years. there is an evolution of the Delphic tripods - they adapt as a seat.

In the VII - VI century BC. e. Delphi began to play the role of a common Greek sanctuary. The Delphic oracle had high authority in the Greek world, making decisions in the political and religious spheres. Delphi also kept a sacred stone - omfal. In addition, from the beginning of the VI century BC. e. in Delphi every four years, the Pythian games began to be held, expressing a sense of belonging to one nation. During their conduct, a sacred truce was established. Numerous gifts flocked to the city under the protection of the Delphic Amphictyony. Delphi acted in the minds of the Greeks as the spiritual capital of the Hellenic world, as the "common hearth" of Hellas (other Greek. κοινὴ ἑστία ), which allowed the Delphic priests for centuries to enjoy not only religious, but also political influence. Thanks to this status, Delphi became the center of credit operations.

The influence of Delphi began to weaken already from the end of the 5th century BC. e. , but Delphi remained one of the largest pan-Greek sanctuaries. In 290 BC. e. power over Delphi passed to the Aetolian League. Then Rome took control of Delphi. In the 80s of the 1st century BC. e. the city was sacked by the Thracian tribes. At the end of the 1st century A.D. e. the temple at Delphi was rebuilt. The last known references to the oracle date back to the 3rd century CE. e. . It was finally banned in 394 by Emperor Theodosius I.

Pythian games

The "Pythian Games" (or "Pythia") were, after the Olympic Games, the second most important pan-Hellenic games of antiquity. At first, the Games were held every eight years, and starting from 586 BC. e. in honor of the Pythian Apollo began to take place every four years.

Initially, the games consisted of only one type of competition - singing to the accompaniment of a cithara. Later, other artistic and athletic competitions were added, such as chariot races and horseback riding. Musical competitions were held in the theater of the city of Delphi, and athletic competitions were held at the Delphi stadium. Chariot races were held on the plain by neighboring city Chris .

The Pythian Games were banned around the same time that the Olympic Games ended (c. 394 AD).

Other facts

Photos

Amphitheater at Delphi.jpg

Amphitheater

Pretty view of Delphi.jpg

view from Delphi

Athina Pronaia Sanctuary at Delphi.jpg

Temple of Athena Pronaia

The Ancient stadium at Delphi.jpg

The Ancient Gymnasium at Delphi.jpg

ancient gymnasium

The Temple of Apollo at Delphi.jpg

Temple of Apollo

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Notes

An excerpt characterizing Delphi

Old Prince Nikolai Andreevich Bolkonsky in December 1805 received a letter from Prince Vasily, informing him of his arrival together with his son. (“I’m going to an audit, and, of course, I’m not a detour 100 miles away to visit you, dear benefactor,” he wrote, “and my Anatole escorts me and goes to the army; and I hope that you will allow him to personally express to you the deep respect that he, imitating his father, has for you.")
“There’s no need for Marie to be taken out: the grooms themselves are coming to us,” the little princess said carelessly, hearing about this.
Prince Nikolai Andreevich frowned and said nothing.
Two weeks after receiving the letter, in the evening, the people of Prince Vasily arrived ahead, and the next day he himself arrived with his son.
The old man Bolkonsky always had a low opinion of the character of Prince Vasily, and even more so in Lately when Prince Vasily in the new reigns under Paul and Alexander went far in ranks and honors. Now, from the hints of the letter and the little princess, he understood what was the matter, and the low opinion of Prince Vasily turned in the soul of Prince Nikolai Andreevich into a feeling of unfriendly contempt. He constantly snorted, talking about him. On the day Prince Vasily arrived, Prince Nikolai Andreevich was especially dissatisfied and out of sorts. Was it because he was out of sorts that Prince Vasily was coming, or because he was especially dissatisfied with the arrival of Prince Vasily, because he was out of sorts; but he was not in a good mood, and even in the morning Tikhon advised the architect not to come in with a report to the prince.
“Hear how he walks,” said Tikhon, drawing the architect’s attention to the sound of the prince’s steps. - Steps on the whole heel - we already know ...
However, as usual, at 9 o'clock the prince went out for a walk in his velvet coat with a sable collar and the same hat. It snowed the day before. The path along which Prince Nikolai Andreevich walked to the greenhouse had been cleared, broom marks could be seen in the swept snow, and the shovel had been stuck into the loose mound of snow that ran on both sides of the path. The prince walked through the greenhouses, through the household and buildings, frowning and silent.
- Is it possible to ride in a sleigh? he asked the venerable man, who was escorting him to the house, similar in face and manners to the owner, the manager.
“The snow is deep, Your Excellency. I already ordered to sweep it according to the preshpektu.
The prince bowed his head and went up to the porch. “Glory to you, Lord,” thought the steward, “a cloud has passed!”
“It was difficult to pass, Your Excellency,” added the steward. - How did you hear, your excellency, that the minister would wish to your excellency?
The prince turned to the steward and stared at him with frowning eyes.
- What? Minister? Which minister? Who ordered? he spoke in his piercing, hard voice. - For the princess, my daughter, they didn’t clear it, but for the minister! I don't have ministers!
Your Excellency, I thought...
- You thought! the prince shouted, pronouncing the words more hastily and more incoherently. - You thought ... Robbers! scoundrels! I will teach you to believe, - and, raising a stick, he swung it at Alpatych and would have hit him if the manager had not involuntarily deviated from the blow. - I thought! Scoundrels! he shouted hastily. But, despite the fact that Alpatych, who himself was frightened of his impudence - to deviate from the blow, approached the prince, obediently lowering his bald head in front of him, or, perhaps, precisely because of this, the prince, continuing to shout: “scoundrels! throw up the road!" did not pick up the stick another time and ran into the rooms.
Before dinner, the princess and m lle Bourienne, who knew that the prince was not in a good mood, stood waiting for him: m lle Bourienne with a beaming face that said: “I don’t know anything, I’m the same as always,” and Princess Mary - pale, frightened, with lowered eyes. The hardest thing for Princess Mary was that she knew that in these cases it was necessary to act like m lle Bourime, but she could not do it. It seemed to her: “If I act as if I don’t notice, he will think that I have no sympathy for him; I will make it so that I myself am boring and out of sorts, he will say (as it happened) that I hung my nose, ”etc.
The prince looked at his daughter's frightened face and snorted.
“Dr… or fool!…” he said.
“And that one isn’t! they’ve been gossiping about her too,” he thought about the little princess, who was not in the dining room.
- Where is the princess? - he asked. - Hiding?...
“She is not quite well,” said m lle Bourienne, smiling cheerfully, “she will not come out. It's so understandable in her position.
- Hm! um! uh! uh! - said the prince and sat down at the table.
The plate seemed to him not clean; he pointed to the stain and dropped it. Tikhon picked it up and handed it to the barman. The little princess was not unwell; but she was so irresistibly afraid of the prince that, hearing how he was in a bad mood, she decided not to go out.
“I am afraid for the child,” she said to m lle Bourienne, “God knows what can be done from fright.
In general, the little princess lived in the Bald Mountains constantly under a feeling of fear and antipathy towards the old prince, which she was not aware of, because fear prevailed so much that she could not feel it. There was also antipathy on the part of the prince, but it was drowned out by contempt. The princess, having settled down in the Bald Mountains, especially fell in love with m lle Bourienne, spent days with her, asked her to spend the night with her, and often spoke with her about her father-in-law and judged him.
- Il nous arrive du monde, mon prince, [Guests are coming to us, prince.] - said m lle Bourienne, unrolling a white napkin with her pink hands. - Son excellence le prince Kouraguine avec son fils, a ce que j "ai entendu dire? [His Excellency Prince Kuragin with his son, how much have I heard?] - she said inquiringly.
“Hm… this excellence boy… I appointed him to the collegium,” the prince said indignantly. - And why the son, I can not understand. Princess Lizaveta Karlovna and Princess Marya may know; I don't know why he's bringing this son here. I don't need. And he looked at the blushing daughter.
- Unhealthy, right? From the fear of the minister, as this blockhead Alpatych said today.
- No, mon pere. [father.]
No matter how unsuccessfully m lle Bourienne got on the subject of conversation, she did not stop and chatted about greenhouses, about the beauty of a new blossoming flower, and the prince softened after the soup.
After dinner he went to his daughter-in-law. The little princess sat at a small table and chatted with Masha, the maid. She turned pale when she saw her father-in-law.
The little princess has changed a lot. She was more bad than good, now. The cheeks drooped, the lip rose up, the eyes were drawn down.
“Yes, some kind of heaviness,” she answered the prince’s question about what she felt.
- Do you need something?
- No, merci, mon pere. [thank you, father.]
- Well, well, well.
He left and went to the waiter's room. Alpatych, bowing his head, stood in the waiter's room.
- Abandoned road?
- Zakidana, Your Excellency; sorry, for God's sake, for one stupidity.
The prince interrupted him and laughed his unnatural laugh.
- Well, well, well.
He extended his hand, which Alpatych kissed, and went into the office.
In the evening Prince Vasily arrived. He was met on the preshpekt (as the avenue was called) by coachmen and waiters, with a shout they drove his wagons and sledges to the wing along a road deliberately covered with snow.
Prince Vasily and Anatole were given separate rooms.
Anatole was sitting, taking off his doublet and propping himself on his hips, in front of the table, on the corner of which, smiling, he fixed his beautiful large eyes intently and absent-mindedly. He looked at his whole life as an uninterrupted entertainment, which someone for some reason undertook to arrange for him. So now he looked at his trip to the evil old man and to the rich ugly heiress. All this could come out, according to his assumption, very well and funny. And why not marry, if she is very rich? It never interferes, thought Anatole.
He shaved, perfumed himself with the thoroughness and panache that had become his habit, and with a good-natured victorious expression innate in him, carrying his beautiful head high, he entered the room to his father. Near Prince Vasily, his two valets bustled about, dressing him; he himself looked around him animatedly and nodded merrily to his son as he entered, as if he were saying: “So, that’s how I need you!”
- No, no jokes, father, is she very ugly? A? he asked, as if continuing a conversation that had been carried on more than once during the journey.
- Full. Nonsense! The main thing is to try to be respectful and prudent with the old prince.
“If he scolds, I will leave,” said Anatole. I can't stand these old people. A?
“Remember that everything depends on you.
At that time, the arrival of the minister with his son was not only known in the maid's room, but appearance both of them have already been described in detail. Princess Marya sat alone in her room and tried in vain to overcome her inner agitation.
“Why did they write, why did Lisa tell me about it? After all, this cannot be! she said to herself, looking in the mirror. - How do I get into the living room? Even if I liked him, I could not be myself with him now. Just the thought of her father's gaze horrified her.
The little princess and m lle Bourienne have already received all the necessary information from the maid Masha about what a ruddy, black-browed handsome minister's son was, and about how papa dragged their feet by force to the stairs, and he, like an eagle, walking up three steps, ran after him. Having received this information, the little princess with m lle Bourienne, still audible from the corridor with their animated voices, entered the princess's room.
- Ils sont arrives, Marieie, [They have arrived, Marie,] you know? - said the little princess, waddling her stomach and sinking heavily into an armchair.
She was no longer in the blouse in which she sat in the morning, and she was wearing one of her best dresses; her head was carefully removed, and on her face there was a revival, which, however, did not hide the drooping and dead outlines of her face. In the attire in which she usually went in society in St. Petersburg, it was even more noticeable how much she had grown ugly. On m lle Bourienne, too, there was already imperceptibly some improvement in the outfit, which made her pretty, fresh face even more attractive.
- Eh bien, et vous restez comme vous etes, chere princesse? she spoke. – On va venir annoncer, que ces messieurs sont au salon; il faudra descendre, et vous ne faites pas un petit brin de toilette! [Well, are you staying, what were you wearing, princess? Now they will come to say that they left. You will have to go downstairs, and at least you dressed up a little bit!]
The little princess got up from her chair, called the maid, and hurriedly and cheerfully began to invent an outfit for Princess Marya and put it into execution. Princess Marya felt insulted in her self-esteem by the fact that the arrival of the groom promised to her excited her, and she was even more offended by the fact that both of her friends did not even imagine that it could be otherwise. To tell them how ashamed she was for herself and for them meant betraying her excitement; moreover, to refuse the dress that was offered to her would lead to lengthy jokes and insistence. She flushed, her beautiful eyes went out, her face became covered with spots, and with that ugly expression of the victim, which most often stops on her face, she surrendered to the power of m lle Bourienne and Lisa. Both women cared quite sincerely about making her beautiful. She was so bad that the thought of rivalry with her could not come to any of them; therefore, quite sincerely, with that naive and firm conviction of women that an outfit can make a face beautiful, they set about dressing her.
“No, really, ma bonne amie, [my good friend,] this dress is not good,” said Lisa, looking sideways at the princess from afar. - Tell me to file, you have a masaka there. Right! Well, after all, it may be that the fate of life is being decided. And this is too light, not good, no, not good!

We continue our journey through the sights and ancient cities of Greece with Galiya Fayzullina. Today the topic of her story is a shrine ancient world Delphi, one of the symbols of Greece and a place unique in its history and energy. Beautiful author's photos of Galia will help us to be transported to visit the Delphic oracle (any photo can be enlarged by simply clicking on it).

Excursion to the past. Delphi, Greece

Delphi is a place shrouded in myths and legends Ancient Greece about the time when people and gods made history together. This is the middle of the world and one of the rare points on earth called places of power.

History of Delphi

According to legend, the story of Delphi begins when Apollo killed the dragon Python, guarding healing spring. And in the place where he walled up the dragon, he founded a sanctuary headed by a temple. The first priests of this temple were Cretan sailors, whom Apollo lured by turning into a dolphin. So the name "Delphi" connects the ancient city with the history of the dolphin.

When exactly this happened, the legends are silent, but it is officially established that the territory of this place was inhabited in the XIV century BC.

Attractions Delphi

Today, in the Archaeological Reserve, the main attraction are the ruins of the temple of Apollo - the god of harmony, music and light. Even now, looking at the ancient foundations, one can understand that the temple was founded over a cleft, from where strange vapors came from.

The ancient Greeks believed that the fetid breath of Python himself made its way through the stones. Having inhaled these vapors, the oracle - Pythia prophesied the future. And the priests betrayed predictions in poetic form. By the way, Plutarch himself was once a priest here.

Residents from all over Hellas sought to get here. Everyone wanted to know the future. The fame of the Delphic oracle and the source of fumes spread everywhere and, as Strabo wrote, turned Delphi into the most famous and revered sanctuary of that time.

Inside the temple was a statue of Apollo cast in gold and up to 3,000 other marble and bronze statues. These were generous offerings to the oracle. For example, the sculptor Praxiteles donated a statue of Phryne, the healer Hippocrates a copper figure of a sick person, and the inhabitants of Corfu a copper bull.

Here, in the temple of Apollo, there was a conical stone “omphalos”, which occupies an important place in mythology. According to legend, Kronos was predicted that he would be deprived of power by one of his children. So when they were born, he swallowed them. And Rhea, who gave birth to Zeus last, slipped this stone to her husband instead of a child.

Omphalos also appears in another legend, when Zeus, who had already freed his brothers and sisters from his father's womb, decided to determine the middle of the world. He released two eagles to fly around Earth towards each other, who met at Delphi. Then the supreme god threw this stone on the ground, thus marking the center of the earth. And the name "omphalos" in translation from ancient Greek means "navel".

"Navel of the Earth" in the Delphic Museum

Today, one of the copies of this stone can be seen in the archaeological reserve. Moreover, there is a belief that if you touch it, it will bring good luck. And the second "omphalos" with patterns in the form of stretched ribbons is in the museum.

Meanwhile, Delphi gradually began to turn into a financial stronghold ancient world because treasures were kept here different country cities Ancient Greece. As the traveler Pausanias wrote, there were treasuries of the Syracusans, Potidaeans, Cnidians, Sicyonians, Siphnians, etc. here. The best-preserved treasury of the Athenians has now been restored by French archaeologists and can be seen on the way to the Temple of Delphi.

In Delphi, as well as in Ancient Olympia, sports competitions were held every four years, which were called Pythian. They began in 582 BC. and ceased in 392 AD, at the same time as the Olympian by order of the Byzantine emperor Theodosius, who decided to eradicate ancient religion. You can find the preserved ruins of the stadium if you climb the circular path to the very high point sanctuaries.

The Key of Castalia flows beside the road. This is the healing spring that was guarded by the formidable Python. In this spring, everyone who entered the temple had to bathe. It got its name from the name of the nymph Castalia, who threw herself into it, fleeing from the persecution of the enamored Apollo.

Other Important Monuments of Delphi

Other unique sights can be seen in the archaeological park. These are fragments of the sacred road, which was decorated with statues, remarkably preserved ruins of the ancient theater,

the ruins of the temple of Athena, the gymnasium, the partially restored circular building of Tholos of Athena Pronoia, etc.

Museum in Delphi

About 700,000 visitors visit this museum every year, making it the second most visited museum after the Acropolis. Here is a rich collection of 6,000 exhibits. These are sculptures, ceramics, figurines, gold jewelry, etc.

In one of its halls there is a world-famous bronze figure of a charioteer dated to the 5th century BC. According to the inscription on the plate, the statue was donated by the son of the Sicilian king Polizalos in honor of his victory at the races.

The place of honor is marble statue Sphinx, which was presented in the 5th century BC. a gift from the people of Naxos. According to legend, this fantastic monster in the form of a woman with the body of a winged lion sat on a mountain and asked riddles to those passing through Thebes. No one could guess and the monster devoured all the travelers until Oedipus, the future king of Thebes, gave the correct answer. And the monster rushed off the cliff into the abyss.

Here you can also see one of the statues that decorated sacred road. This is a column decorated with acanthus leaves and figures of three dancing girls.

And famous sculptures brothers Cleobis and Byton, donated by the inhabitants of Argos. They also have a story associated with them. The brothers died in their sleep during a ceremony to which they brought their mother, a priestess of the temple of Hera. So that she could be on time, they harnessed to a wagon instead of mules and brought her to the temple. The grateful mother asked Hera for the best reward for her sons, and when she saw them dead at the entrance to the temple, she accepted this as the highest mercy.

All this can be seen with your own eyes, if you decide on an excursion into the past, having arrived in Delphi. And it is necessary to do this, because to visit here means not only to see the slopes of the mountains of Parnassus and blue waters Gulf of Corinth, but also to visit the center of the earth and feel the power of this strange and wonderful place.

Delphi on the map

Galia Fayzullina.

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 the myths of Ancient Greece say about the spiritual and religious center?

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 in the period of Roman rule, the attitude of emperors towards 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. Built on contributions local residents the rectangular building, 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 pediments are exhibited in archaeological museum cities. 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 rightfully 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, there were archaeological excavations temple ruins. 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 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.

She made an invaluable contribution to European culture. Literature, architecture, philosophy, history, other sciences, state system, laws, art and myths of ancient greece laid the foundation for modern European civilization. Greek gods known all over the world.

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