What Is The Sanctuary Of Delphi?
The Sanctuary of Delphi formerly also known as Pytho, is the ancient sanctuary known as the seat of Pythia. This was an oracle who was consulted about important decisions throughout the ancient classical world. The ancient Greeks deemed Delphi to be the centre of the world and marked this by the stone monument known as the omphalos (navel).
The site is on the south-western slope of Mount Parnassus, overlooking the coastal plain to the south and the valley of Phocis. Today, it is an archaeological site recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since it had a great influence in the ancient world. A small town with the same name is found nearby.
Delphi is best known for its oracle, the Pythia, the sibyl, or priestess at the sanctuary dedicated to Apollo. Apollo spoke through this oracle and it exerted great influence throughout the Greek world as she was conferred before any major undertakings including wars and the founding of colonies.
Despite the rise of Christianity across the Roman Empire, Delphi remained a religious centre throughout the 4th century, and the Pythian Games continued to be held at least until 424 AD.
History
Delphi was a place of worship for Gaia, the mother goddess connected with fertility. For many centuries it was the cultural and religious centre and symbol of unity for the Hellenic world.
The history of Delphi begins in the myths of the ancient Greeks. In the beginning the site was sacred to Mother Earth and was guarded by the serpent Python, who was later killed by Apollo. Apollo’s sanctuary was built here by Cretans.
The town started to gain Pan-Hellenic importance as both a shrine and an oracle in the 7th century BC as it had the most famous oracle of ancient Greece.
According to literary and archaeological evidence other gods were associated with the sanctuary. These included Artemis, Poseidon, Dionysus, Hermes, Zeus Polieus, Hygeia, and Eileithyia.
Initially under the control of Phocaea settlers, Delphi went through being controlled by different nations during the four sacred wars from 597 to 338 BC and was finally destroyed by Nero in 66 AD and the world lost interest in the site. It was uninhabited for centuries.
Only towards the 15th or 16th centuries did a settlement start forming there again, eventually forming the village of Kastri.
The first Westerner to describe the remains in Delphi was Ciriaco de’ Pizzaioli (Cyriacus of Ancona), a 15th-century merchant. He recorded all the visible archaeological remains.
Archaeological research in Delphi began in 1860 by Germans. Proper excavations at the site only started late in the 19th century. Most of the ruins that can be seen today date from activity at the site in the 6th century BC.
Remains were uncovered that is of great importance to gain knowledge of public life in ancient Greece. The Greek Archaeological Service and the French School at Athens continue to research, excavate, and conserve the two Delphic sanctuaries today.
Archaeological Remains
Today, most of the ruins that survived date from the period of activity at the site in the 6th century BC. The archaeological site of Delphi includes two sanctuaries, dedicated to Apollo and Athena, and other buildings, mostly intended for sports.
Visitors first encountered the sanctuary of Athena Pronoia. Within the walls you find the famous Tholos, and the remains of three temples dedicated to the goddess.
Northwest of the sanctuary of Athena Pronoia lay the gymnasium, the palaestra, and the baths. Further up the slope was the Castalian spring. The central, most important part of the site was the sanctuary of Apollo, surrounded by the usual peribolos (enclosure wall), with a main gate. Then you entered the Sacred Way, the street that led to the temple of Apollo with its famous adytum, where Pythia delivered her oracles.
The sanctuary spread over artificial terraces supported by monumental walls, bordered by porticoes. The imposing temple of Apollo dominated the sanctuary from atop a large terrace supported by a polygonal wall. In front of its entrance were impressive votive monuments dedicated by wealthy individuals.
Above the temple is the theatre where the theatrical and musical contests of the Pythian Games took place, while higher up the slope, lies the stadium where the athletic contests were held.
Outside and around the two sanctuaries are the remains of the settlement and cemeteries of Delphi, which developed mainly in the Classical and Roman period.
Site monuments are the following:
- Temple of Apollo
- Treasury of the Athenians
- The polygonal wall of Delphi
- The treasury of the Siphnians
- The Stoa of the Athenians
- Ancient theatre of Delphi
- The Sacred Way
- Ancient Gymnasium
- The Castalian fountain
- Ancient stadium of Delphi
- The tholos of Athena Pronoia
- The votive offering of Daochos
- Leche of the Knidians
The Delphi Archaeological museum houses a collection associated with ancient Delphi, including the earliest known notation of a melody, the famous Charioteer of Delphi, Kleobis and Biton, golden treasures discovered beneath the Sacred Way, the Sphinx of Naxos, and fragments of reliefs from the Siphnian Treasury.
Interest For Today
Excavation at Delphi has uncovered artifacts beginning with the last quarter of the 6th century BC. Pottery and bronze as well as tripod dedications were uncovered.
Apollo’s sacred precinct in Delphi was a Panhellenic sanctuary, where every four years, starting in 586 BC athletes from all over the Greek world competed in the Pythian Games, one of the four Panhellenic Games, pioneers of the Modern Olympics.
Delphi would have been a renowned city regardless of whether it hosted these games as it had other attractions that led to it being labelled the navel (centre) of the earth.
Delphi was also set apart from the other games sites because it hosted the Moisakos agon, musical competitions.
The site had been occupied by the village of Kastri since medieval times and they resisted being relocated. Fortunately, this changed after an earthquake and the villagers were offered a new village in exchange for the old.
The site is now an archaeological one, and an extremely popular tourist destination. It is protected as a site of extraordinary natural beauty, and the views from it are also protected. No industrial artefacts are to be seen from Delphi other than roads and traditional architecture residences.
Location
The Sanctuary of Delphi is in Phocis, Greece, at the coordinated 38°28′56″N 22°30′05″E.
Address: The Τ.Κ. 33054, Delphi (Prefecture of Fokida).
Tourist Information
The site is open daily from 8.30 – 15.30.
In 2020 the tickets are €12 for adults, €6 for children which include the site and the museum.
There are a few free admission days during the year.
Contact details:
- Telephone: +30 22650 82313, 82346
- Fax: +30 22650 82966
Email: efafok@culture.gr
