Archaeological Site of Delphi

Delphi, Greece

The Archaeological Site of Delphi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Central Greece, sits at the base of Mount Parnassus overlooking the sprawling Valley of Phocis filled with groves of olive trees – it is here that the ancient Greeks believed, according to mythology, that two eagles sent out by Zeus from opposite ends of the universe met to find the navel of the world. The Sanctuary of Delphi, set within a most spectacular landscape, was for many centuries the cultural and religious center of the Hellenic world - since antiquity, the Delphi area has been visited by thousands of travelers from all over the world. Historically, to receive guidance from Apollo via his Oracle, and presently, to personally experience this unique artistic achievement – Mount Parnassus and Delphi are an absolute masterpiece of the landscape, a place where terraces, temples, and treasuries have endured the test of time, a place that can be described as nothing short of magical.

We began our personal journey along the ancient path known as The Sacred Way - entering the site of Delphi to pass through where votive offerings of powerful city-states like Athens, Sparta, and Thebes once stood. Hiking further, we walked amid the Roman Agora and Stoa of the Athenians before reaching the small, yet impressive building, known as the Treasury – these structures housed the loots from wars and dedications made from Greek city-states to Delphi and Apollo.

The Siphnian Treasury, which is no longer standing, dated back to the 6th century BC, and had the claim to fame as the oldest religious structure in mainland Greece made entirely of marble – the pediment was supported by two caryatids, predating by a century the famous caryatids found on the Acropolis. Continuing along the path, you reach the Athenian Treasury – the architectural style of the temple is Doric, and the main construction material is Parian marble, its appearance making it a standout structure and one of our favorite buildings at the site.

Shortly after climbing past the Treasuries, you will arrive at the Temple of Apollo, which dominates the center of the sanctuary - crucial among the imposing ruins interspersed on the southern slopes of Parnassus, it is an imposing temple of the Doric order whose existence was woven throughout the turbulent history of Delphi, the temple has endured numerous manifestations before settling into the ruinous state we find it in today.

Just above the Temple, offering an excellent panoramic view of the unique landscape, there is the Theater of Delphi – consisting of 35 tiered rows, a stage, and an orchestra, the theatre could seat nearly 5000 people, and was the setting for the Pythian Games.

Leaving the theater, the path leads to the Delphi Stadium, the venue for Pythian sporting events – sitting high up on the hill above the Temple of Apollo and the Ancient Theatre of Delphi, the Ancient Stadium could seat around 6,500 spectators in the ancient times. The stadium’s track is 0.1-mile (177 meters) long and 83 feet (25 meters) wide.

After admiring the Stadium, we retraced our steps to the modern road, and then made our way towards the magnificent Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia – stopping along the way to drink from the sacred waters of the Castalian Spring.

The Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia and Tholos, located to the southeast of the Temple of Apollo, marked the first structures visible to people coming to Delphi from the east, before arriving at the Temple of Apollo – the name Pronaia or Pronea, means before the Temple.

Descending from the road, the views of the impressive structures are breathtaking - the sanctuary originally consisted of several altars, temples, two treasuries and the Tholos, a round-shaped construction, which was a pretty unusual shape for the ancient Greek architecture.

Tholos, one of the most photographed spots in Delphi, is an iconic symbol of the site - encircled by twenty Doric columns on the outer side and ten Corinthian columns on the inner side, (only three of the exterior columns have been restored), the structure was made of Pentelic and Parian marble and the walls were set with a layer of dark Eleusinian stone, creating a strong color contrast that is a feast for the eye.

After hiking through the amazing ruins and visiting the museum, we headed to the town of Delphi for a meal with a view – To Patrika Mas Taverna offers up incredible cuisine, fine wines, and amazing birdseye views of the olive groves of the Phocis Valley stretching all the way to the Gulf of Corinth.