Archaeological Site of Delphi you gotta go here
The archaeological site of Delphi is literary a mind boggling artistic phenomena. Its terraces, treasuries, temples and other modular elements form a strong expression of physical and moral values of a great Pan Hellenic sanctuary.
The settlement of Delphi has attracted Greece history experts mainly due to the worship of a female earth deity. Construction of the sanctuary of Delphi started in the 8th century BC upon the establishment of the cult of Apollo. The sanctuary got protection from the Amphictyony administration and thus even after the First Sacred War, it continued to exert religious and political influence.
When the Pythian Games were reorganized, the sanctuary was expanded to constitute buildings and statues. The now bigger town of Delphi attracted the Aetolians who dominated it from the 3rd century VBC until they were conquered by Romans in 191 BC.
In the reign of Romans, some emperors favored it while others did not and thus it would be plundered and then restored in equal measure. When Christianity was introduced into the Roman Empire – of which Delphi Sanctuary was part of – the sanctuary lost its religious meaning and was closed down by Theodosius the Great.
Attractions in Delphi
- Temple of Apollo: dated to the 4th century BC
- Treasury of the Athenians: dated 6th century BC.
- Altar of the Chians: The large altar of the sanctuary, in front of the temple of Apollo, erected by the people of Chios in the 5th century BC
- Stoa of the Athenians: Built in the Ionic order, it features seven fluted columns with each made from a single stone. According to an inscription cut on the stylobate, it was erected by the Athenians after 478 BC.
- Theatre: Originally built in the 4th century BC, but the visible ruins date from the Roman imperial period.
- Stadium: Constructed in the 5th century BC and remodeled in the 2nd century AD at the expense of Herodes Atticus
- Castalian Spring: The preserved remains of two monumental fountains that received the water from the spring in the ravine of the Phaedriades date to the archaic period and the Roman era.
- Tholos: This is a circular building in Doric order that was built around 380 BC.
- Polygonal Wall: This wall was built after the destruction of the old temple of Apollo in 548 BC
From the list above, you can tell that this is a mustn’t miss destination. Make sure you pack a camera…there is probably many sights and views you can capture here.
by Kennedy Runo on 05/01/2014 in Sightseeing