In antiquity, Delphi was the center of the Greek world in several senses. The Oracle resided there, and it was the home of the Omphalos, a stone thrown to earth by Zeus which was considered the navel of the world. The Pythian Games, a forerunner of the Olympic Games, were held every four years at Delphi. Pilgrims from across the Panhellenic world came to seek divination from the oracle and to make sacrifices to Apollo and other gods.
We spent a pleasant several hours exploring the site (which climbs steeply for 700+ feet) and the museum of artifacts taken from the site. By reputation, Delphi is heavily infested with tour groups, so we went early in the day and off-season, which helped.
Here are a few images, some with explanations.
The Greeks were the first people in the world to play, writes Edith Hamilton, Greek scholar. Thanks for showing us their playground.
I can feel you warming up to the people and land of Greece.
It has been an extraordinary experience all around. It didn’t take long to warm to the people and the land. By and large people have been sincerely welcoming and friendly. I tend to judge places by the extent to which I might want to live there, or be comfortable living there. Santorini is indescribably beautiful, but I couldn’t live there. I could see living on Naxos—beautiful beaches and towns, and a thriving agricultural base that is independent of tourism, and great people. I’d move to Galaxidi tomorrow.