Ancient Delphi (Delphi) description and photos - Greece: Delphi (Topic)

Ancient Delphi (Delphi) description and photos - Greece: Delphi. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Delphi.

Photo and description

Delphi, one of the oldest cities in Greece, located on the slope of Mount Parnassus, was famous in the ancient world for its temple of Apollo and the famous Delphic oracle, to which pilgrims from all over Oycumene gathered for fortune-telling. Delphi was rightfully considered the center of the entire Hellenic world.

The Pythian Games took place here - common Greek festivities in memory of the victory of Apollo over Python. Initially, it was a competition between poets and musicians, whose patron was Apollo, but from 586 BC. e. sports competitions were also included in the games program. The last Pythian Games were held in AD 394. e. At the same time, the Temple of Apollo was finally destroyed and closed by the Emperor Theodosius I. As a result of archaeological excavations begun in 1892, the remains of a temple, a theater, a hippodrome were discovered, various monuments and many inscriptions, which made it possible to restore the general view of the sanctuary.

The ruins left from the Temple of Apollo date back to the 4th century BC. But the sanctuary on this place existed in more ancient times - from the end of the VIII century. The sacred road led to the temple of Apollo and was decorated with three thousand statues and treasuries for gifts and thanksgiving offerings. Sibylla's stone stands in the same place where. According to legend, the first priestess-diviner uttered her predictions. The theater, built in the 5th century BC, accommodated more than 5 thousand spectators.

In the southeast of the Temple of Apollo there is a sanctuary of the goddess Athena with the ruins of a temple from the 4th century BC. The rotunda - tholos has been preserved, the purpose of which is still unknown.

The stadium, where the Pythian Games were held, has been preserved quite well. It accommodated about 7 thousand spectators and was made of limestone from Mount Parnassus

It was believed that anyone who came to Delphi should perform a ritual ablution in the waters of the sacred Kastal spring. The poet Byron plunged into the waters of this spring under the impression of a legend according to which the Castalsky Key awakens poetic inspiration.

The collection of the Delphi Museum includes a collection of sculptures and architectural fragments found during excavations.

We also recommend reading The ancient city of Tindari (Tindari) description and photos - Italy: Sicily Island

Topic: Ancient Delphi (Delphi) description and photos - Greece: Delphi.