What is Delphi Sanctuary, Greece
Delphi Sanctuary is located in the town of Delphi, Greece. It is a religious site that was dedicated to the god Apollo. The sanctuary was home to many important temples and monuments, including the Temple of Apollo and the Oracle of Delphi.
The sanctuary of Delphi, which was founded in the 8th century B.C., was home to the Oracle of Delphi, Pythia, a priestess who was known throughout the ancient world for divining the future and being consulted before all major events.
Location of Delphi
The town of Delphi is located in Greece, about 120 kilometres northwest of Athens.The sanctuary is located on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, overlooking the valley of Phocis. The site was considered to be sacred to both the Greeks and the Romans, who believed that it was the navel of the world.
The Delphi Sanctuary was a major centre of pilgrimage in the ancient world. It was visited by kings and nobles from all over Greece and even beyond, including the famous Macedonian conqueror Alexander the Great. The Delphi Sanctuary was also an important site for festivals and musical competitions, such as the Pythian Games, which were held every four years in honour of Apollo.
The archaeological site of the Delphi Sanctuary is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is open to the public and continues to be a popular tourist destination.
Apollo Temple
The Temple of Apollo is one of the most important temples at the Delphi Sanctuary. It was built in the 6th century B.C. and was dedicated to the god Apollo, who was considered to be the patron deity of Delphi.
The Temple of Apollo is a Doric temple with six columns on the front and thirteen on the sides. It is built of marble and has a statue of Apollo inside.
The Oracle of Delphi
The Oracle of Delphi was a priestess who was consulted for her ability to predict the future. The Oracle of Delphi was located in the Temple of Apollo at the Delphi Sanctuary.
The Pythia, as she was known, was consulted before all major events, such as wars and marriages. She would enter a trance and give her prophecy in the form of a riddle or poem.
The Oracle of Delphi was considered to be one of the most important religious figures in the ancient world.
We arrived at the foot of Mount Parnassus, the weather was good. Our tour guide, Marina, a trained archaeologist, briefed us on the history of the site. "Delphi was once home to the most famous oracle in all of Greece. People from all over came to seek her advice." Our guide had exceptional knowledge about the place!
We began our ascent up the sanctuary, stopping at various points to take in the views. Finally, we reached the top and walked through the ancient ruins. I couldn't believe that people had once lived here and worshipped these gods and goddesses.
The highlight of our visit was definitely seeing the Temple of Apolo. It was so impressive to think about all of those people who had gathered here thousands of years before. The bus was on time and all the route was excellent. The service and care for their guests were impeccable, and the driver Thomas was amazing at keeping us safe.
Village of Arachova is a cozy, probably winter village in Greece that was a nice stop but we think it is not necessary for this excursion. We got the optional launch, a nice clean restaurant welcomed us with decent food. Not the best meal we ever had, but the chicken recipe worths the mention!
Why we chose this excursion:
- It had over 1000 positive reviews
- Free wifi on the bus was something we needed
- Entrance and all fees (except food) included in the price
- Recently we played A.C Odyssey and we were curious and enthusiastic about visiting the Delphi Sanctuary
