Description of the attraction
Delphi, one of the oldest cities in Greece, located on the slope of Mount Parnassus, was famous in the ancient world for its temple of Apollo and the famous Delphic oracle, to which pilgrims from all over Ecumene gathered for fortune-telling. Delphi was rightfully considered the center of the entire Hellenic world.
Here the Pythian Games took place - a common Greek festivities in memory of the victory of Apollo over Python. Initially it was a competition of poets and musicians, whose patron was Apollo, but from 586 BC. NS. sports competitions were also included in the program of games. The last Pythian Games took place in AD 394. NS. At the same time, the Temple of Apollo was finally destroyed and closed by Emperor Theodosius I. As a result of archaeological excavations begun in 1892, the remains of a temple, a theater, a hippodrome, various monuments and many inscriptions were discovered, which made it possible to restore the general appearance of the sanctuary.
The remains of the Temple of Apollo date back to the 4th century BC. But the sanctuary at this place existed in more ancient times - from the end of the VIII century. The sacred road led to the temple of Apollo and was decorated with three thousand statues and treasuries for gifts and thanksgiving offerings. Sibylla's stone stands in the same place where. According to legend, the first priestess-prophetess uttered her predictions. The theater, built in the 5th century BC, accommodated more than 5 thousand spectators.
In the southeast of the Temple of Apollo is the sanctuary of the goddess Athena with the ruins of a temple from the 4th century BC. The rotunda - tholos has survived, the purpose of which is still unknown.
The stadium, where the Pythian Games were held, has been fairly well preserved. It accommodated about 7 thousand spectators and was made of limestone from Mount Parnassus
It was believed that anyone who came to Delphi should perform a ritual ablution in the waters of the sacred Kastal spring. The poet Byron plunged into the waters of this spring under the impression of the legend, according to which the Kastal Key awakens poetic inspiration.
The collection of the Delphi Museum includes a collection of sculptures and architectural fragments found during excavations.
