Ancient Delphi

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Set off in the morning for the ruins just outside of town. Absolutely overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of the land in this area of Greece. Mt. Parnassos, the famous home of the Greek muses, is said to have "shining cliffs," and I can easily see why. The mountain literally glimmers, and I now understand that this is truly the place to come to find your muse, and be inspired. It's hard not to be.

Ancient Delphi is one of the great pilgrimage sites of the world. This is where the Greeks said the center of the Earth was, which has a great myth behind it. Zeus released two golden eagles that flew in opposite directions, and they met at Delphi (which actually comes from the word, delphis, or womb of the world). To mark the spot, Zeus dropped a giant rock that was called the omphalos, or navel of the Earth. Very cool. Delphi is also famous for its oracle. In the Temple of Apollo, a priestess would sit over an opening in the ground that let up fumes from below, and hallucinate because of them. Her garbled ramblings were then written up by priests and given to equally confused people. But for hundreds of years, people came here to ask for answers on everything from marriage, business, and war. In this respect, Delphi was the religious heart of ancient Greece.

Touring the place is therefore quite the experience, not least because the ruins climb up the side of a mountain. There's also, at the very top, the best preserved stadium in Greece. An awesome time today. Spent the rest of the day dumbfounded by the bus system. I was certain that the bus I needed tomorrow left in the morning, but I found out that it'd been changed to the afternoon. After a lot of soul-searching and frustration decided instead to take a quick bus to a neighboring town and take the train from there. I'm heading up to Northern Greece... all the way to Kastraki and the beautiful monestaries at Meteora. Should be done with the bus for good. Thank God.

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Photos

Morning beauty over Delphi
This is on my way down to the ruins.

The Sacred Way
This is the entrance, through the Roman agora in the distance. The path is the Sacred Way.

The omphalos
Right here is where the navel of the Earth was said to be. It was held atop a giant column.

Athenian Treasury
In thanks of being given an oracle, towns throughout Greece built treasuries full of gifts and gold. This is a reconstruction.

Temple of Apollo
This is where the priestess sat and gave out her oracles.

On top of the theatre
You can see the Temple of Apollo below.

The stadium
You can't go any higher at Delphi.

The Kastalian Spring
This is where the pilgrims would wash themselves before going up to the sanctuary. It gushes right out of the mountain.

Everything in bloom
Right by the spring.

Tholos at Sanctuary of Athena
Remains of one of the great buildings of the ancient world - mainly because it was circular. Pilgrims would first come here before going up the mountain.

Cat friend at lunch
Very happy because I gave him some of my sandwich.

Alcinoos
A mortal worshiped as a God because he was so good looking. A favorite of Roman Emperor Hadrian.

Bronze Charioteer
Most famous piece at Delphi museum. So well preserved because it was buried by an ancient earthquake. You can even see the veins in his arm!