Delphi, Greece: sights, photos

Impregnated with ancient myths mysterious country has an incredibly vibrant culture, and travel, getting acquainted with the main attractions – a pleasure. To visit the cradle of mankind is a dream of many tourists who appreciate a unique opportunity to combine a beach holiday and sightseeing in Greece.

Delphi – a symbol of the country, full of legends and mystical area with the strongest power to unite gods and ordinary people. A sacred place protected by the UNESCO, many will know the famous image of the temple of Apollo Pythian.

Legend about the origin of the city

Read about the spiritual and religious center of the Ancient Greek myths?

Delphi – this is the area where the two met eagle, which was released by Zeus the Thunderer from different ends of the earth to find her the middle. Find out where the meeting of the birds, the terrible God of the sky hurled into this place stone – a monolithic block, thus marking the centre of the world. Ancient cult site is called "the navel of the Earth”.

According to legend, originally there was a sanctuary, guarded by the serpent Python. Patron of the arts Apollo killed the monster, and at this point there is a new temple, which was erected arrivals here Cretan sailors, accompanied reincarnated into a Dolphin by the God.

This myth, telling about the victory of the son of Zeus over the Python, was often played on regular performances in the ancient town that grew up around the sanctuary.

Modern resort and archaeological Museum

I Must say that Delphi (Greece) consist of two parts: a modern city resort and archaeological reserve on the slopes of mount Parnassus. Popular tourist centre and host to thousands of guests, was created in 1892, and the territory of the sacred place, according to official figures, settled the tribes in the XIV century BC.

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Rise and decline of the sanctuary

It is Known that only after the reign of the cult of Apollo was erected the first temples. Rising political and religious influence of the city, expanding its borders. Here was held the second largest after the Greek Olympic competitions – the Pythian games convened every four years.

Between the VI and IV centuries BC observed the greatest flourishing of the sanctuary. In Delphi (Greece) attracts hundreds of people to receive the prophecy of oracles and to ask the Council of the gods. The rich offerings of grateful citizens have even eclipsed the luxury of a magnificent temple. For example, such a generous gift was spilled from a gold sculpture of Apollo. Many gifts have allowed the city to build a stadium and theatre.

However, in the period of Roman rule, the attitude of the emperors towards the religious centre was ambiguous: some rulers reacted favorably to the city, while others are mercilessly plundered.

With the spread of rationalism the fame of the Oracle begins to fade. In 394 ad the Byzantine Emperor issued a decree put an end to the activities of the sanctuary, who influenced the course of world history, and after the accession of Christianity, Delphi (Greece) become the Episcopal see of. Over time, the ruins, which became the sanctuary, go underground, and in the Middle ages about it already nobody remembered. At this point there is a settlement of Kastri, where and began to arrive connoisseurs of ancient artifacts.

The Main temple of Ancient Greece

The Historical angles, which is a well-maintained ruins of which are specialists, are transformed into museums and are called archaeological parks (sites). This place is recognized as the sanctuary of Apollo – real treasure of the country. In Delphi (Greece), places of interest, which is known to many from the school, visitors come to explore the important religious monument.

Prophecies of prophecies

In ancient times the temple was sacred, had relation to the cult of the God of light and prophecy was the main. There was a main Oracle of Ancient Greece, and thousands of pilgrims, seeking answers to questions, came to town. All residents of Greece wanted to know their future, and soon the town turns into the revered sanctuary.

The Tourists notice that the temple is situated over a deep crack that centuries ago flowed incomprehensible evaporation. The fact that Delphi (Greece) is dotted with geological faults. Facing surface gases made easy narcotic effect and introducing oracles in a trance.

Residents believed that it makes its way through the stone Foundation of stinking breath vanquished by Apollo serpent. The Pythia breathed vapors and fell into a trance, and when she spoke of the prophecy, it was believed that her mouth is Apollo. The priests of the temple – profits – gave confused statements verse form, interpreting in their own way messages of God.

Delphic soothsayer, whom were very young girls, and women age, predicted the Trojan war and the Argonauts.

The History of temple of Apollo

According to myths, the first building dedicated to Apollo was built of Laurel branches, and later there were huts made of beeswax and copper, and the latter consisted of tuff-rock made of volcanic ash.

In 548 BC, in the city of raging fire, andthe structure died in the fire, after which the Athenian family Alcmaeonid thinking about the construction of the majestic temple in honor of the deity. Built on the contributions of local residents a rectangular building, surrounded by columns, decorated pediments surprised, the protagonist of which was Apollo. Unfortunately, the Delphi of Ancient Greece suffered from strong earthquake, and the sanctuary was completely destroyed. Only in 330 BC, a new temple was born.

It ruins watching now tourists, and fragments of the pediments are exhibited in the archaeological Museum of the city. On the internal decoration of the sacred places we know very little. How to tell the scientists, was lost to the altar of Poseidon, a monumental statue of the God, the image of Homer from copper.

Symbol of the world center

In the temple was the famous omphalos-stone conical shape with unusual patterns, which is known as “the navel of the Earth”.

He currently is in the Museum and archaeological reserve tourists can see only the copy of the artifact, which is rightly proud of Delphi (Greece). Unusual photo exhibit I love to do the enthusiastic tourists who want also to touch the stone. It is believed that it will bring good luck for life.

Open air Museum

About forty years, until 1901, was the archaeological excavations of the ruins of the temple. After rashidinia be made available to all addresses in Delphi (Greece). Attractions, photos of whom are forced to hide from the delight of hearts, will take visitors to many centuries ago. Open to all guests of the Museum will acquaint with unique exhibits of the early Christian era.

The ruins is always crowded. Is a lot of wishing to see the greatest relic, and such interest due to the diversity of the architectural complex.

The Treasury of religious monuments

The Most significant building of religious structures is the Treasury of the Athenians, made of marble. In a small room, which appeared at the turn of VI-V centuries BC, kept not only the items, dedicated to Apollo, but also produced war trophies that were brought to Delphi (Greece).

For a long time the existence of the temple here has accumulated the most outstanding works of art. Curiously, the Treasury – the only well-preserved monument of the ancient city, which the French experts returned to the original appearance in 1906 under the close supervision of the mayor of Athens. Now it can be seen on the way to the sanctuary.

Delphi theatre

In the temple of Apollo was the amphitheater for five thousand spectators, about whom modern scholars know almost everything. The spacious building was a place of religious holidays and sports games. Today, the famous landmark has undergone several restorations, acquired in the Roman era. Unfortunately, over the centuries architectural monument suffered from time.

What else to see in Delphi?

• Ruins of the aqueduct running alongside the highway. Created in the period BC hidden under the ground the building is rectangular in shape surprises tourists with the power of engineering thought of the ancient masters.
• The Ancient stadium. The structure, located above the sanctuary of Apollo, closely connected with the history of the Pythian games.
• Sacred road-the main thoroughfare of the temple, which simplified the movement of pilgrims.
• Castalian source, revered as a sacred place. Supplied water to the ancient city, it was repeatedly rebuilt. In the cliffs you can see the embossed niches for offerings to the nymphs.
• City Museum. Rich collection will introduce the history of the country and will share interesting facts associated with the exhibits.

To Make an informative excursion into the past is very simple – it is enough to visit Delphi, which has a special atmosphere of Greek greatness. A true masterpiece, presented to all mankind of an ancient civilization, will affect delicate strings of the soul and will bring tourists unforgettable moments.