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Central Greece | Fokida | Delphi Town

Delphi Archaeological Museum

The Museum of Delphi is considered among the three most important museums in Greece, together with the ones of the Acropolis of Athens and in Heraklion, Crete. What makes a visit to the Greek Museums in general, this one in particular, an unforgettable experience, is the fact that they usually exist on the very archaeological site(s), thus putting the exhibits in the surroundings in which they were initially established, in close relevance to their cultural and/or religious role.
The Delphi Museum first opened its doors tο the public in 1903; in the more than 100 years that have elapsed since then, it has been recognized as one of the most important museums in Greece. It has undergone many renovations during this time and four different exhibitions, each reflecting the scientific concepts and artistic standards as they evolved through the 20th century. The quality of the exhibits, though, has always been the main advantage of this Museum.

According to Rosina Colonia, (Delphi Ephorate of Antiquities) “… the Delphi exhibits speak for themselves: they have the power to command respect and captivate the visitor, inviting him or her to admire them, and leaving this visitor with the memory of their charm and the enigma surrounding them. Even though the exhibits on display today constitute no more than a small but representative part of the dedications seen by Pausanias at Delphi, and an even smaller part of the many more that inundated the sanctuary during the years of its heyday, they indisputably continue to delight people with their wealth, variety and beauty. …Delphi has been included in archaeology textbooks, it has adorned art books; some of the Delphi finds, such as the Treasury of the Siphnians, are landmarks in the history of ancient Hellenic art, while others, even though more than one hundred years have elapsed since they came to light, continue to be a focal point of scholarly discussions even today, owing to unanswered questions regarding their identity and interpretation. But above all, they still chaim the broad public who flock, like ancient pilgrims, to admire the monuments of Delphi”. (Quotation ©: John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation)


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The Golden Age of Delphi, The Early Architectural Sculptures: The Monopteros of the Sikyonians (Hall III)

Metopes of poros stone with decoration in relief. They were found scattered in the foundations of the Τreasury of the Sikyonians and originally decorated a small rectangular building supported by a doric colonnade (pteron). This open-sided, roofed structure, called 'monopteros', has been dated to 560 BC. A Doric Frieze surrounded to top part of it. The Treasuries were buildings that were dedicated to the god, and they could house the precious offerings from the city that offered them. The sculptures on this one are a fine example of the Archaic art of Sikyon, which enjoyed great renown in antiquity, its style of workmanship was painterly in certain respects, as illustrated by the precise outlines and the details of the figures. The elongated relief metopes with their unusual proportion of width to height (about 3:2) and once vivid colors created the impression of painting works.


The Monopteros of the Sikyonians (Drawing)

The Monopteros of the Sikyonians (Drawing)
The Monopteros of the Sikyonians: The fabulous Ram with the Golden Fleece

The Monopteros of the Sikyonians: The fabulous Ram with the Golden Fleece


A metope from the Argonaut Expedition Cycle. A representation of the fabulous ram with the Golden Fleece on which Phrixos and his sister Elle flew to Colchis. Elle slipped of the ram's back and was drowned in Ellespontus which was named after her.
The Monopteros of the Sikyonians: The Mythic Hunt of the Caledonian Boar

The Monopteros of the Sikyonians: The Mythic Hunt of the Caledonian Boar


The hunters of this fabulous beast, headed by Meleagros, were shown on a neighboring metope, today lost. Under the boar's abdomen, one of the dogs participating in the hunt can be seen
The Monopteros of the Sikyonians: The abduction of Europa

The Monopteros of the Sikyonians: The abduction of Europa


Europa seated on Zeus (who has transformed himself into a bull), holding onto the bull's horns as the animal gets her to Crete.
The Monopteros of the Sikyonians: Dioscouri and the Herd of Oxen (Drawing)

The Monopteros of the Sikyonians: Dioscouri and the Herd of Oxen (Drawing)
The Monopteros of the Sikyonians: Dioscouri and the Herd of Oxen

The Monopteros of the Sikyonians: Dioscouri and the Herd of Oxen


Castor and Pollux, with their cousins, the two sons of Aphareus, are depicted holding spears and driving oxen, their booty from a raid on Arcadia. Painted inscriptions revealed the names of the figures. The heroes later followed Jason to the Expedition of the Argonauts.
The Monopteros of the Sikyonians: Dioscouri and the Herd of Oxen (Detail)

The Monopteros of the Sikyonians: Dioscouri and the Herd of Oxen (Detail)
The Monopteros of the Sikyonians (Drawing)

The Monopteros of the Sikyonians (Drawing)


Restoration proposal of the Argo ship occupying three metopes along one short side of the Monopteros
The Monopteros of the Sikyonians: Scene from the myth of the Argonaut expedition

The Monopteros of the Sikyonians: Scene from the myth of the Argonaut expedition


At the prow of the Argo ship stand Orpheus and another musician playing the lyre. Shields hang from the gunwales, protecting the oarsmen against enemy arrows. The Dioscuri, who frame the metope, disembark from the ship on horseback (one o the figures is destroyed).
The Monopteros of the Sikyonians: Scenes from the Expedition of the Argonauts

The Monopteros of the Sikyonians: Scenes from the Expedition of the Argonauts


Left half of the previous photo
The Monopteros of the Sikyonians: Scenes from the Expedition of the Argonauts

The Monopteros of the Sikyonians: Scenes from the Expedition of the Argonauts


Right half of the photo above

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