One of the Most Famous Ancient Sites in Greece
Delphi, three hours northwest of Athens, is one of the most famous sites in Greece that draws tourists from all over the world, just as it once lured people from far and wide to seek the advice of the Oracle.
Zeus is said to have released two eagles from opposite ends of the earth, and the place that they met over in the sky was to be deemed the center of the earth. This was Delphi. People flocked here from all over the world to worship the god Apollo and seek his advice on family, love, and war.
Overlooking the mountain with sweeping views just above the Corinth Gulf, Delphi is breathtaking for any visitor who comes willing to explore it. The ruins are in incredible condition, and even though the precious treasures can no longer be found as they were, the buildings that housed them are impressive enough. The pathways, statues and stones outline a city that was once wealthy, powerful, and sacred not just to the Greeks, but to the entire ancient world.
Ancient Greek History
During the Archaic period, from 750-500 BC, Delphi was the most important shrine in Greece. Over time, the visitors who traveled here brought with them treasures of gold, jewels, statues, and art. The path leading to the Temple of Apollo was lined with treasuries built in Apollo’s honor. Each treasury represented a Greek city-state and housed gifts from its people.
Walking up the path from the entrance to Delphi, you take the same route as the ancient Greeks and pilgrims took along the Sacred Way to the Temple of Apollo. It is easy to imagine the treasuries full of gifts to the gods and watched over by imposing statues. The Treasury of the Athenians was one of the most impressive of the time, and still impresses tourists today thanks to its restoration.
Ancient Delphi was so sacred that no one was allowed to be born, live, or die there. Apollo, god of music and the arts, was entertained by the Greeks with plays, performances, and the Pythian Games, a sporting event second only to the Olympics. The treasures and wealth found in Delphi often made it a target for attacks. Sacred Wars broke out in Delphi over control of the Oracle, which determined the destiny of wars and people everywhere.
Delphi Museum Houses Ancient Treasures
To get a better idea of the ancient treasures that could be found in Delphi, visit the Delphi Museum, where you’ll find original sculptures and remains of war scenes once depicted on the treasuries. The history behind the treasures of Ancient Delphi and a walk down the Sacred Way make Delphi an unforgettable part of a vacation to Greece.
Sara Goldenberg - Sara currently lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma where she is a reporter for KJRH-TV. She previously worked in Grand Junction, Colorado as a ...
