There are so many things to do and see in Delphi that it will impress even the most experienced traveler. The god Apollo had his sacred precinct located in Delphi, which was called the 'Pan-Hellenic Sanctuary'. Beginning in 586 B.C. the best athletes from the surrounding areas would come every four years to contend in the Pythian Games. These games were the leader of the modern-day Olympic Games. The original arenas have been revealed and preserved so they end up being the most interesting thing to see when in Delphi Greece.
The location of Delphi Stadium and the ruins of Apollo's temple deal views of the valley that will literally take the observers breath away. It is not surprising that the 'gods' selected this spot, which they considered to be the center of the Earth, as their main sanctuary. The most famous phenomenon at this place is a set of 5 pillars. These are the remains of Apollo's temple. The pillars almost resemble a gazebo, but in actuality they are the last remaining corner area of the large temple area. The entire website has been so fastidiously maintained that it practically feels like the visitor is strolling into the past as if they were going through a door from one realm into another.
When putting the measurements of these pillars into the context of human size Apollo need to have been rather large. Their size reminds one of the Hebrew Torah when it states, "and their were giants in the earth in those days". The ancient Sumerians told of giants in their customs too. One take a look at these temple ruins and it makes the viewer marvel if the tales about huge gods in the world were true. However, these ancient ruins should be primary on the tourist's list of things to do and see when in Delphi. This is because they are the experience of a lifetime.
Progressing in time to the Byzantine era, the Osios Loukas Abbey, likewise referred to as the Greek Orthodox Byzantine Monastery of 1011 A.D., is another amazing example of ancient archaeology. Anyone that has actually been from another location exposed to contemporary building approaches will take one appearance of this Monastery and wonder how they were able to develop it with the tools that were offered to them at that time. This octagon shaped Byzantine structure is de facto the criteria of all middle ages church styles. It remains in excellent condition today and consists of hundreds, if not thousands of unspoiled artifacts and art.
The Delphi Museum should be next in line to do and see in Delphi. Some of the artifacts it consists of will both astonish and educate the onlooker. Take for instance the Omphalos Of The Earth screen. The word Omphalos means 'center'. This sacred stone was discovered at the Temple of Apollo and was apparently only viewed by priests and priestess with particular rights to access to the chamber where is was located in. Then, there is the Kouros Statues of the Archaic Duration. The legend says two young kids, Kleovis and Biton, pulled their mom on her chariot for distance of 8 km. They later died that night in their sleep. However, the boys got their mom to her location securely and on time.
Among the most remarkable products at the Delphi Museum is a sphinx. The big Sphinx of Naxos sits on top of an iconic column and carefully looks like the Sphinx Go to the website of Egypt. A half man half lion creature was likewise mentioned throughout Sumerian history. Nara-Simha was half male half lion with the Sumerian god in Enil. Likewise, the Sumerians also point out other lower gods such as Enkidu. He had the upper body of a guy however the lower hindquarters of a bull. Now we have the Greek Sphinx of Naxos, The Egyptian Sphinx of Egypt, and the stories of Nara-Simha of Sumer. They are from different cultures, spanning 3 different points in history, and they all mention god-like creatures that were part beast and part human. Anyone that discovers ancient history interesting will want to see the Delphi Museum in Greece.
Next in line on the trip should be the Oracle. There been numerous Oracle's covering the ages, such as the Oracle of Rome, nevertheless the Greek Oracle at Delphi is the original. The legend states a young goat herder discovered the rift around 1400 B.C. This is when he discovered his goats were disoriented on a hillside. It was later found the seeping gas would trigger some to fall ill however trigger others to have visions. Delphi became a financial Mecca due to this discovery. A substantial industry occurred around the Oracle. Temples were developed, virgin priestesses were trained, routines were written, and blood sacrifices were performed. The temple ruins stay today and they end up being just another factor to take a vacation in Delphi. The Oracle temples will genuinely amaze the tourist.
Parnassus, the birth place of Pegasus, is a mountain that towers over the city of Delphi. Today that mountain's slopes are home to a few of the most treasured ski resorts because part of the world. The city of Delphi is among the most modern cities in the region. The cocktail bars stay open late during the night while the dining establishments serve indigenous Greek household dishes. A tourist can say they had the best of both worlds when they went to Delphi. They can see a Greek catastrophe in an ancient Coliseum throughout the day, and after that have a few of the very best night life on the planet in the evening. All while remaining at world class lodgings.