During the classical period of Greece (5th-4th centuries BC) Delphi was considered a most important religious center as well as the center of the world. The latter was designated by Zeus who, according to mythology, released two eagles into the sky. When their paths crossed at Delphi, the spot was marked by an oval rock known as the omphalos (navel of the earth).

Remaining towers of the Temple of Apollo

The site is atop Mt. Parnassus and oversees the Pleistos valley. A port on the Adriatic Sea, far below, was the maritime gateway to Delphi. It was here that pilgrims, goods and animals arrived by sea. The sacred site was for them–and remains–a long, hard and hot climb.

Far below Delphi, the Adriatic Sea is the maritime gateway

Delphi is dedicated to Apollo, whose imposing temple was its nexus. The oracle of Delphi was Pythia, High Priestess of the Temple of Apollo. Thousands of people made religious pilgrimages to seek answers to their most vexing issues. Rulers also consulted the oracle before making big decisions, such as engaging in war.

A closer view of the Temple pillars

Delphi’s glory is gone. What remains are ruins of stone foundations and marble pillars. It takes artists’ renderings and thoughtful imagination to piece together this archaeological wonder. Games, religious rituals, music, festivals, athletic competitions, oracle consultations and meeting opportunities all combined to make this site a most important one in classical Athens.

Model of Delphi in its glory, 5th-4th century BC

Today, the semi-circular stone theater remains. It seated 5,000 and was the location of vocal and musical contests associated with the Pythian Games. 

Theater of Delphi

The Pythian Games, athletic competitions, were held at the Stadium every four years in honor of Apollo. The stadium is at the highest point of the site and is an oblong shape. Only naked men participated to ensure that women could not compete or even watch the contests.

The Stadium at Delphi

Among the many official buildings were treasuries, where citizens of various parts of Greece deposited precious offerings. Different cities had their own treasury, but today only the Athenian building still stands.

Athenian Treasury, the only remaining building in Delphi

Delphi was home to hundreds of statues which have long disappeared–some taken by Nero, some destroyed by vandals, and some disappearing with the forces of time and nature. A few remained and are housed in the adjacent archaeological museum. They are spectacular. Here are but a few:

The charioteer, famous bronze statue, with its accompanying artist’s rendering of the original

Although only a few bronze pieces were recovered, artists were able to reconstruct the original statue

The museum also has pieces of the building friezes and pediments which added beauty and symbolism to the buildings.

Neighboring villages of Delphi and Arachova are quaint locales with shops and homes. In the winter, tourists are replaced with skiers who come to the slopes of Mt. Parnassus. The villages, like so many in Greece, nestle in the hillsides and have breathtaking views.

Obviously the citizens of Arachova have entered the hashtag age

My visit to Delphi was via a one-day bus tour. It is about three hours from Athens, so I spent six hours on a bus and three hours at the site. I felt a bit rushed, as I would have liked much more time in the archaeological museum. The displays and statuary there are what brought Delphi to life for me.