Delphi Archaeological Site

Blending harmoniously with the superb landscape and charged with sacred meaning, Delphi in the 6th century B.C. was indeed the religious center and symbol of unity of the ancient Greek world. The pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi, where the oracle of Apollo spoke, was the site of the omphalos, the 'navel of the world'. The magnitude of the Delphi contribution to all of ancient civilization cannot be overstated.

The Archaeological Site of Dephi was first excavated in 1838 by the French architect Laurent. Major excavations started in 1860, by the German Archaeological Society. In 1891, the importance of the finds this far made the relocation of the village of Kastri, which was built precisely on top of the ancient oracle, neccessary and the village was rebuilt at its present location (and renamed to Modern Delphi), a couple of hundreds of meters (yards) away.

• Delphi Archaeological Site: Why this Album?
• The Sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi: Various Photos and Plans
• The Sanctuary of Apollo: The Sacred Way

The Sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi: Various Photos and Plans

Delphi Archaeological Site Plan The main gate, used also today, is on the bottom right. The Sacred Way starts here and leads to the Temple of Apollo. The Stadium and the area around it are not included. The list with the names of the numbered monuments is to be found higher up in this page. credit: Based on a map shown in delphi-greece.blogspot.com	Delphi Archaeological Site Plan For our Greek-speaking visitors credit: Based on a map shown in delphi-greece.blogspot.com
The Sanctuary on a gloomy day The Museum building is seen to the left, the Treasury of the Athenians higher up to its right and the columns of the Temple of Apollo to the right of the photo.	The Sanctuary on a gloomy day The Treasury of the Athenians and the columns of the Temple of Apollo. Lower down one can discern the road running along the front of the archaeological site.
The Sanctuary on a gloomy day A tele-photo of the Temple of Apollo.	The Sanctuary of Delphi The road mentioned in a previous photo. It goes straight to the ravine between the Phaedriades rocks, where the Castalian Spring is still flowing, and then turns to the right, away from it. This spring was considered to be sacred because, according to the myth, it was here that Apollo killed Python, the serpent-monster. All visitors of the sanctuary used to wash their hair here.
The Sanctuary of Apollo in Delphi: The Gymnasium Photo of the Gymnasium, half a mile away from the main sanctuary. It was here that the youth of Delphi kept their body in condition. It consisted of a series of buildings in two levels: a portico higher up and a palaestar with bathing facilities (pools and baths) a bit lower down. These pools and baths were said to have magical powers, and imparted the ability to communicate to Apollo himself. To the far right, the ruins of Athena Pronaia Tholos are also visible.	The Sanctuary of Apollo in Delphi: The Gymnasium
The Sanctuary of Apollo in Delphi: The Treasury of the Athenians photographed from high up in the archaeological site The valley of Pleistos river, full with olive trees, is also visible in the background. Please notice the Mediterranean Cypress-trees ornamenting the site.	Delphi Model of the Archaeological Site (2nd century A.D.): General View This model reproduces the Apollo Sanctuary as described by the 2nd century A.D. traveler, Pausanias. The Oracle is surrounded by ancient Wall, which is exactly above the main road. According to researchers, the ancient town used to be around it but it has not been adequately studied and thus, not included in this reproduction. Positioning of the numerous important monuments in this model has been made according to the latest research on the Sanctuary. On both sides of the Holy road there are reproductions of the ancient well-known offerings, of which only the foundations exist today (Only one wooden offering was found in the sanctuary).
Delphi Model of the Archaeological Site: General View ...excluding the Main Entrance and the beginning of the Sacred Way, at the bottom of the photo	Delphi Model of the Archaeological Site: The Temple of Apollo
Delphi Model of the Archaeological Site: The Theater	Delphi: Model of the Archaeological Site In the front, flanked by bronze statues one can see the Sacred Way running past the Stoa (Portico) of the Lacedaemonians and heading to the Treasure of the Athenians (the small temple-like edifice facing us on the left of the photo). To the left of the prenamed portico, we can see a cemi-circular exhedra, with votive offerings of Argos (the King of Argos); on the top, the Temple of Apollo.
Delphi: Model of the Archaeological Site: The Temple of Apollo	Delphi Model of the Archaeological Site: The Temple of Apollo
Delphi Model of the Archaeological Site: The Temple of Apollo and the Theater To the left, the Western Stoa (Portico)	Delphi Model of the Archaeological Site: The area east of the Temple of Apollo

• Delphi Archaeological Site: Why this Album?
• The Sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi: Various Photos and Plans
• The Sanctuary of Apollo: The Sacred Way