Delphi, with a population of 1.500, is one of the most beautiful and
impressing landscapes of Greece, and the centre -"omphalos "- of the world, according
to the ancient myth. It was already inhabited in the prehistoric times and later
-especially during the classic times- obtained great historic importance, as it
has been linked with the most significant events of Greek history. Apollo, the
God of catharsis and the genuine oracle, dominated earlier forms of worship in
the Delphi. He taught people
the "metron", that is prudence and modesty, which became the most ethical and
peaceful expression of the Greek spirit. The famous Oracle of Delphi, where the
god's divination was given through the mouth of Pythia, was directed by the so-called
priesthood, that is priests with deep mystic education. Moreover, Delphi with
the renowned Amphictyonic institution, gave the signal for friendship, brotherhood
and peaceful coexistence of peoples, as a fundamental goal of the Delphic idea
. A quite spectacular proof of the world-wide prestige enjoyed by the temple of
the God of Light was the amount of votive offerings by leaders, towns and rich
citizens, great in both quality and artistic value; unfortunately, very few of
them have survived through the time.
Today the visitor can admire various interesting architectural
monuments, as, in the northwest, one of the best preserved stadium of antiquity,
dating from the roman ages (a stadium had already been there since the 2nd half
of the 5th century BC). The stadium hosted the Pythian games, which were very
important in Greece and took place every four years. In the northeast, there is
the sacred place (temple), surrounded by a wall, contains, amongst other things,
the dorian Temple of Apollo (4th century BC), a theater for 5,000 spectators,
where in 1927 and in 1930 Aggelos and Eva Sikelianou organized for the first time
since antiquity ancient drama plays, as well as a set of Çtreasures", small buildings
in the shape of a chapel, which various countries dedicated to the Sanctuary to
keep the precious offerings. The visitor can get an idea of these buildings by
visiting the erected Treasures of the Athenians.
The most important treasure appears to be the Treasure of Sifnioi,
especially for its sculpted decoration, exhibited in the Museum
of Delphi (one of the richest museums of the world), along with the magnificent,
unique copper statue of Iniohos, the Sphinx of Naxioi, the two young man statues,
findings of gold and ivory excavated in 1939 and tens of other findings. Eastward,
where the two rocks of Fedriads meet, we see the renowned Kastalia Spring, and
below the motorway, we see the Highschool and a little bit lower the Sanctuary
of Athena "Pronaia", within which we see the dome, a round structure of dorian
order, a true masterpiece. The new city of Delphi, which was transferred a km
wester, after the excavations in 1892, is characterized by a modern touristic
infrastructure and is ready to host all types of visitors. Here, we see the European
Cultural Center of Delphi which aims at reviving Delphi as a European and international
cultural centre with global activities, the house of Aggelos Sikelianos and his
wife, Eva, which has been transformed into the Museum of Delphi Celebrations,
a branch of the Arts School as well as many stores and workshops of folklore art.
(...)
This extract is cited Sept 2003 from the WebPage
of the Prefecture of
Fokida
Charioteer from a bronze quadriga, the young man holds the horse’s reins, on his brow is the victor’s fillet inlaid with meander pattern (478 or 474 BC)
Delfi, the Tholos in the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia (380 BC), partly reconstructed in 1938
Delfi, the Tholos in the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia (in Doric order) has still unknown function
