Delphi … the center of the universe …

Delphi is nestled in the mountains and is said to be “the center of the universe”. The explanation for this reference is that Zeus is said to have released two eagles from opposite ends of the earth and that they met in the sky above Delphi.

Blessed by the sun god Apollo (who promised to provide DSC_0109counsel to all who needed it), Delphi was considered the holiest site in the world for ancient Greeks.  The ruins at Delphi included a reasonably well intact theatre.

DSC_0059We visited its museum of treasures which chronicled Delphi’s history from the 15th century B.C. The museum included a victorious Charioteer, complete with its championship headband. An English  speaking tour guide explained that “the Charioteer looks relaxed - that you don’t get a sense of any tension” which makes sense since it’s assumed he’d won!

 

The Temple of Apollo at Delphi dates back to the 4th DSC_0145century B.C., was damaged by an earthquake and rebuilt to its original scale. Because it was made of limestone, the temple has suffered more erosion over the years than some of the other temples we’ve seen. While it’s unclear what the interior may have looked like when it was constructed, what remains today are it’s foundations and several of its columns.

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