On the southwestern slopes of Mount Parnassos, less than 10 km from the Gulf of Corinth, lies a remarkable circular stone square that houses the ruins of the largest sanctuary dedicated to the god Apollo.
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(Photo: Greecetravel) |
Here, Apollo was worshiped and delivered his prophecies through the priestess Pythia. The vast range of these ruins illustrates the significance of the religious and political center of Delphi. During its peak in the 6th century BCE, it served as the religious hub of the Greek world.
Its influence extended well into the flourishing era of Christianity, marked by a sacred path lined with treasures, specifically small temples erected by prominent city-states to house offerings. This path winds its way up to the Temple of Apollo (4th century BCE). Above the temple, there is a theater, a stadium, and an amphitheater near the Castalian Spring, all of which catered to the Pythian Games held throughout Greece.
On the opposite side of the spring lies the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia, where the most famous structure is the circular marble building known as the Tholos built in the early 4th century BCE. Above the plateau, there is an ancient city. This site is endangered due to its location in a seismically active area, having experienced its most recent earthquake in 1981. Climate conditions have also caused damage. Additionally, the influx of tourists has necessitated the authorities in Delphi to establish a designated path for visitors, requiring them to detour around the temples to prevent the wear of the ancient stones.
Before listing Delphi as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1977, the World Heritage Committee requested the cancellation of plans to construct an aluminum plant nearby. The Greek authorities complied and arranged for the relocation of the factory to a site 55 km away from Delphi.
The circular marble building Tholos (Photo: Kastellia.gr)
