Delphi Full Day Tour

Some of the most prominent edifices on the sacred slopes of Delphi are:

the Temple of Apollo: probably the most important building in the sanctuary. This is where the statues and other offerings to the god were kept, and where the cult rituals, including that of divination, took place. Also, here was the chresmographeion, or oracle archive.

the ancient theatre of Delphi: This is where the musical contests (song and instrumental music) of the Pythian games and other religious festivals took place, which made this theatre the intellectual and artistic equivalent to the athletic stadium at Olympia.

the Tholos of Athena Pronaia: perhaps the most characteristic monument at Delphi and the most important building of this small sanctuary. Constructed between 380 and 360 BC, this circular building of unknown purpose is a masterpiece of Classical architecture.

the stadium: one of the best-preserved monuments of its kind. The stadium is closely connected to the history of the Pythian games, since this is where the athletic events took place.

the Castalian spring: the sacred source of Delphi whose water played an important role in the cult and procedure of the temple and of the oracle. This is where Pythia, the priests and the temple staff washed, and where the water used to clean the temple came from. Those wishing to consult the oracle were also obliged to wash here in order to purify themselves.

the treasury of the Athenians: This small building contained trophies from important Athenian victories and other votive objects dedicated to the sanctuary. It is thought to express the victory of democracy over tyranny. A slightly different interpretation, based on Pausanias’s description, states that the treasury commemorated the battle of Marathon of 490 BC, when the Athenian army repelled the Persians.

the treasury of the Siphnians: it housed the precious votive offerings dedicated by the Siphnians to the sanctuary. The Siphnians decided to dedicate the tithe of their profits to Apollo and thus built the treasury. The monument’s sculptural decoration is dated on stylistic grounds to 525 BC, or a little earlier.

the Archaeological Museum: one of the most important in Greece, it exhibits the history of the Delphic sanctuary, site of the most famous ancient Greek oracle. Its rich collections are comprised primarily of architectural sculpture, statues and minor objects donated to the sanctuary. These reflect its religious, political and artistic activities from its early years in the eight century BC to its decline in Late Antiquity.

After enjoying our lunch, we will head back to Athens.