The Ancient Stadium of Delphi

The Ancient Stadium of Delphi

The ancient stadium of Delphi crowns the entire sanctuary, resting at the highest point of the archaeological site on the flank of Mount Parnassus. It is the best-preserved ancient stadium in Greece, a long stone arena where athletes competed in the Pythian Games held in honour of Apollo. Here you can still trace the tiered … Read more

The Ancient Theatre of Delphi

The Ancient Theatre of Delphi

High on the southern slope of Mount Parnassus, cradled inside the sacred precinct of Apollo, the ancient theatre of Delphi rises in curving rows of grey limestone above the ruins of the god’s temple. It is one of the best-preserved theatres of the classical Greek world, built to hold the musical and dramatic contests that … Read more

The Castalian Spring at Delphi

The rock-cut votive niches of the Castalian Spring carved into the Phaedriades cliff at Delphi

The Castalian Spring is one of the most atmospheric places at Delphi, a source of clear, cold water that rises deep in the ravine between the towering Phaedriades cliffs on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. For the ancient Greeks this was no ordinary spring. Its waters carried a sacred charge, and every person who climbed … Read more

The Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia at Delphi

The Tholos of Athena Pronaia at Delphi, the circular temple with three re-erected Doric columns

The Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia sits on a green terrace at the foot of Delphi, just below the great sanctuary of Apollo, and it is the first sacred ground pilgrims reached as they arrived from the east. Its most beloved feature is the Tholos, a slender circular rotunda whose three re-erected columns rise against a … Read more

The Delphi Archaeological Museum

The Delphi Archaeological Museum

The Delphi Archaeological Museum stands just steps from the ancient sanctuary on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, and it holds the treasures that pilgrims once carried to the most sacred oracle in the Greek world. Inside its cool, well-lit galleries you meet the bronze Charioteer, marble kouroi, sculpted friezes, and the strange stone that the … Read more

The Temple of Apollo at Delphi

The Temple of Apollo at Delphi

High on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, the Temple of Apollo at Delphi stood as the spiritual heart of the ancient Greek world. This great Doric temple housed the oracle, where the priestess known as the Pythia delivered the prophecies of the god Apollo to kings, cities, and ordinary pilgrims alike. For centuries people climbed … Read more

The Oracle of Delphi

The Pythia, priestess of the Oracle of Delphi, holding laurel and a bowl over the tripod (Priestess of Delphi, John Collier)

The Oracle of Delphi was the most revered prophetic institution of the ancient Greek world, a place where mortals believed they heard the voice of the god Apollo himself. Set high on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, the sanctuary drew kings, generals, city-states and ordinary pilgrims who travelled great distances to put their questions to … Read more