"What god drove them to fight with such a fury?
Apollo, the son of Zeus and Leto."
- Homer, The Illiad -
Apollo, the son of Zeus and Leto."
- Homer, The Illiad -
AWE - INSPIRING DELPHI
DAY 3 - The God APOLLO!
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Delphi is incredible! Delphi was considered the most sacred ancient religious sanctuary. The sanctuary was dedicated to the Olympian god Apollo - the god of light, harmony, sun and light, music and poetry, healing, plagues and more! The Apollo temple pillars are huge and breathtaking but it is the setting, high on the hill, that makes Delphi so mystical and dramatic. The sanctuary was home to the Oracle of Delphi and the priestess Pythia. People would consult the Oracle and Priestess before all major undertakings. It was also home to the Pythian Games, the second most important games in Greece after the Olympics. We wandered in awe around the stunning columns and spectacular ruins.
Delphi is a stunning site and not to be missed! Temple of Apollo
Apollo's temple held the most prominent position in the entire sanctuary. It contained a statue of the god, guarded by an eternal flame, and was where the Oracle, Pythia, the god’s mouthpiece, delivered her pronouncements. |
The Ancient Stadium of Delphi - Another Path to Follow!
We followed another path.... through beautiful greenery, up above the Temple of Apollo to the Ancient Stadium.
Gazing out over the oval grounds, we tried to imagine this area filled with over 6,000 spectators,
all there to see athletes participate in the Pythian and Panhellenic Games.
The path that leads from the theatre to the stadium was named Via Sacra.
We followed another path.... through beautiful greenery, up above the Temple of Apollo to the Ancient Stadium.
Gazing out over the oval grounds, we tried to imagine this area filled with over 6,000 spectators,
all there to see athletes participate in the Pythian and Panhellenic Games.
The path that leads from the theatre to the stadium was named Via Sacra.
Tholos of Delphi The Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia and the Tholos is part of the Delphi UNESCO World Heritage Site and is located about 1 mile from the main site. The tholos is a circular building which is in the centre of the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia. It was constructed with 20 Doric columns on its exterior. but today only three columns remain. Below - view of the Tholos from far above! You can just see it! |
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Athenian Treasury The Treasury of the Athenians is one of the most impressive buildings in the Sanctuary of Apollo in Delphi. The people of Athens gave offerings to the sanctuary of Apollo. The Treasury was constructed to house these dedications and votives. |
Delphi Theatre
The theatre is built on a hill which provides a spectacular view of the sanctuary and valley below.
The theatre could accommodate five thousand spectators who, in ancient times, enjoyed plays, poetry readings, and musical events. |
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The Omphalas
This is a simple replica of the Omphalos of Delphi, an ancient marble monument. According to the Ancient Greek myth, the god Zeus, attempted to locate the centre of the earth, by launching two eagles from the two ends of the world. The eagles crossed their paths above the area of Delphi and it was at this point that Zeus placed the stone. Since then, Delphi has been considered by Greeks to be the centre of the world, the 'omphalos' or "navel of the Earth." The original stone is in the museum of Delphi. |
The Serpent Column
This is a replica of the original Serpent Column. This bronze monument consisted of three snakes twisting around each other to form the column shaft. Originally three heads branched out from the top of the intertwined snakes of the column. |
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Kastilian Spring
The Kastalian spring was a sacred source of water in Delphi. The Kastalian Spring is not in the sanctuary of Apollo itself, but in a ravine east of its main entrance. All visitors to Delphi stopped to wash themselves and quench their thirst. |
DELPHI ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
The Archaeological Museum of Delphi,
exhibits the history of the sanctuary.
exhibits the history of the sanctuary.
Dancers of Delphi/Acanthus Column This pedestal is often called the Acanthus Column because of the species of leaves decorating the top. Three women, known as the Dancers of Delphi, adorn the top. |
Hercules stealing the tripod of Apollo.
This relief is from the east pediment of the Siphnian Treasury. |
The East Pediment of Temple of Apollo
Some of the remains from the east pediment of the Archaic Temple of Apollo.
Apollo's four horses are in the centre, flanked by three korai and three kouroi.
In the corners, lions hunt their prey.
Some of the remains from the east pediment of the Archaic Temple of Apollo.
Apollo's four horses are in the centre, flanked by three korai and three kouroi.
In the corners, lions hunt their prey.
Additional images of the marvellous artifacts found in the Delphi museum!
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