Delphi

The city of Delphi is a historical landmark of Greece, because it is here that the ruins of the most ancient cultural monuments are located. It is located in a picturesque mountainous area, at the foot of Mount Parnassus. The city of Delphi has long attracted both travelers and archaeologists. The ruins of the local structures date back to the Mycenaean period.

This ancient Greek city has many different myths, behind which Delphi is considered the center of the entire universe, or as it is also called – the "Navel of the Earth". One legend says that it was here that two eagles collided, launched by Zeus from different parts of the world. They collided, piercing each other with sharp beaks, and their meeting place was named Delphi. This city was considered a holy place for all the inhabitants of this country.

The oldest Greek city in our time is an open–air museum that attracts many tourists, both with its unique history and indescribable natural landscapes. This area often suffers from earthquakes, which are the cause of the destruction of some structures.

The main building of the city of Delphi is considered to be the Temple of Apollo, which dates back to the VI–IV centuries BC. It was excavated by archaeologists in 1892. The main attraction of the temple, which made it famous, is the Oracle of Delphi, which is known as the "oracle". The sanctuary of this temple is the most famous and majestic sacred place in the whole of Ancient Greece.

Right in front of the temple of Apollo, the most important altar is located, which has been quite well preserved to our time. Its material is black marble. Another rather interesting building is located very close by, which accommodates seven columns, on which you can see the inscription that it was built in honor of the victory over the Persian conquerors, approximately in the fifth century BC.

The treasury of the Athenians, which was built here in the first half of the fifth century BC, attracts the attention of travelers. It was timed to coincide with the great victory of the Athenian inhabitants in the Battle of Samalin. Various war trophies, as well as other equipment, are stored in the treasury. It has the appearance of a small building, the material for which was marble. The design of the treasury is quite interesting, because the main decorations are reliefs with scenes of the exploits of Hercules and Theseus. There are also texts on the walls of the building, among which you can find hymns to Apollo. The treasury is the most ancient architecture, which was best preserved in Delphi, which gave the right to restore it to its original appearance.

The stadium, built in the 6th century BC, looks very fascinating. Its capacity is approximately 6,000 people.

Nearby there is an ancient theater, the audience of which could clearly see the temple of Apollo, as well as the lower valley. It was designed for about 5,000 guests. The tour of the ancient city of Delphi also includes a sacred spring, which is simply bursting with life. Previously, servants and priests of the local temple went to the Castalian spring to wash.

Another important building in Delphi is called Tholos. It is the hallmark of the ancient city and has the appearance of a circular building that accommodates many columns. This architecture is made of different types of limestone, as well as marble. The roof itself was decorated with sculptures of dancing women. But, unfortunately, this building is very poorly preserved.

In 1902, a museum was built on the territory of the city of Delphi, which presents a collection of ancient artifacts that deserve special attention.

The city of Delphi is located 180 km from the capital. Several bus routes run here every day, and information about sightseeing routes is provided in any directory in the country. You can take a one-day tour to this ancient place, or stay for a few days, because there are many cozy hotels, cafes, and restaurants at the disposal of tourists.