Delphi
ΔΕΛΦΟΙ
The archaeological site of Delphi.
Located 180 km north of Athens, on Mt. Parnassos, Delphi is the second most important archaeological site of Greece, known in ancient times as the navel of the world.
Along the way from Athens, the traveler will see the plain of Beotia, an agricultural center, and will also pass by the city of Thebes, the birthplace of King Oedipus. In ancient times Delphi was considered the place where heaven and earth met so the gods were close-by. Established around the 7th century BC, Delphi was a sanctuary to the god Apollo. It was here that the Oracle of Delphi was situated, the most trusted oracle in the ancient world from which the spirit of Apollo gave advice on everything from domestic matters to wars. This extensive mountainside archaeological complex contains the remains of the sanctuaries of Apollo and Athena Pronaia, the monument of the Argive Kings, the Treasury of the Athenians, the Athenian Stoa, the Polygonal Wall, the monument of Platea, plus a stadium and a theater.
The Delphi Archaeological Museum, housed in a two-floor building with a total surface area of 2,270 sq. m., with fourteen exhibition rooms, storerooms and conservation laboratories for pottery, metal objects and mosaics, was designed by renowned Greek architect Alexandros Tombazis. The museum displays spectacular exhibits found among the ruins, including the frieze of the Treasury of the Sifnians, the Naxian Sphinx, the Statue of Antinoos, the metopes of the Athenian treasury, the famous bronze Charioteer, originally created to commemorate a victory during the 476 B.C. Pythian Games. It's exhibits reflect its religious, political and artistic activities from its early years in the eight century BC to its decline in Late Antiquity. A new lobby, cafeteria and gift shop were created during the museum's latest refurbishment.
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The Charioteer of Delphi, now at the Delphi Archaeological Museum.
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The Apollo sanctuary plan at Delphi. © Ecole Francaise d`Athenes
Delphi Archaeological Museum, Photo Credit: Ricardo André Frantz, CC BY-SA 2.5
The circular Tholos at the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia at Delphi.
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