Greece - Land of the Oracle

It was the day to visit the Oracle! We've all heard about the Oracle at Delphi, but I've never stopped to think about what it was. In practice, the oracle was a priestess serving at the Temple of Apollo, who  spoke for Apollo, Greek God of the Sun (and light, and poetry, and a whole host of other things).  Pilgrims sought out answers from the seer priestess who entered a trance before giving a response. This often cryptic answers were then translated by a priest. The Oracle at Delphi was considered to be one of the most powerful in ancient Greece, and was regularly consulted by rulers.

At the recommendation of our innkeeper, we chose to visit the Museum before going to site. It was  rainy day, and we had high hopes that the weather would clear a little later in the morning. The museum and site are about 5 minutes walk out of the main town area, and we got to the museum bright and early to avoid the bus-loads of tourists that were to follow. The museum houses the treasures unearthed at the Delphi site, and it was useful education for us before going to the site.

Rain

The Sphinx of the Naxians, a guardian of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, approx. 570 -560 BCE.
Photo Credit: Dawn LX

Relief depicting a battle between the Olympian Gods and the Giants, the children of Gaia.
Photo Credit: Dawn LX

Even more detail. That the features were still so clear was amazing to me. 

The twins of Argos, votive offerings at Delphi, probably from the 6th century BCE.
Photo Credit: Dawn LX

A white kylix (drinking cup) depicting Apollo crowned with myrtle leaves, seated on a lion-legged stool. He is holding a lyre and pouring wine from a navel-phiale in an offering of libation. The black bird is probably a crow, recalling his love for Aigle-Koroni, daughter of King Phlegyas. 480-470-BCE. (adapted from the museum's description of the artifact).  

Cult Statue of Antinoos, a youth of extraordinary beauty and beloved companion of Emperor Hadrian. He drowned in the Nile at a young age, and was thereafter made a hero and worshipped as a demigod by order of the Emperor. 1st century BCE. 

The Charioteer, bronze statue depicting the charioteers in panhellenic games. The statue was preserved from looting and destruction because it was buried in the debris of the great earthquake of 373 BCE. Considered a masterpiece of the Severe Style (transitional phase between archaic and classical periods).  480-460 BCE. 

Feeling a lot more knowledgeable about Delphi, we ventured over to the archaeological site itself. It was still raining but the fogginess added to the mysterious feel of the place.

Misty mountains served as the backdrop today. 

Every city-state had their own little treasury build to house their valuable offerings.
Photo Credit: Dawn LX

View of the Athenian Treasury. 

The Altar of Apollo
 Photo Credit: Dawn LX

The setting of the Temple of Apollo

Entry way to the Temple of Apollo. The priestess would sit in a tripod seat over a fissure in the earth, from which fumes  rose to put the priestess in a trance, allowing her to give answers to her questioners.

More ruins

The whole site was built on the side of a mountain, so it was an upward climb. 

The Temple of Apollo dominated the site. 

Well-preserved theater from 4th century BCE. The theater was restored by the Pergamenon kings in 1st Century BCE. Plays were performed here every four years during the Pythian Festival.

View of the theater and the Temple of Apollo from above. 

Above the theater was the stadium, one of the best preserved in Greece. 

After a wet morning in Delphi, we set off on our next destination in the Peloponnese - Ancient Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games. The drive was spectacular as we hugged the shores of the Gulf of Corinth.

We stopped for a lunch break at the resort-town of Galaxidi, (population: 3030), which had pretty streets and charming waterfront dining.

We heart poppy flowers!

Funny door.

Picturesque streets

We stumbled into this bakery with yummy yummy treats!

More goodies than we could handle. 

Our hole in the wall lunch spot was in the Lonely Planet. Food was ok, but the old couple that ran this place were really adorable!

Octopus. 

Humus!

Clouds creeping over the mountain. 

After Galaxidi, we drove straight on to Olympia, half of it on highways which weren't too picturesque, except for this very ironic moment:

Tee hee.
Photo Credit: Dawn LX.

By the time we got to Olympia, the light was falling, and we decided to make our ancient ruin-exploration the following day. Didn't stop us from wandering around town and then going to a local restaurant for dinner.

Olympia
Photo Credit: Dawn LX

The tiny restaurant of Thea a distance away from town. The owner's 100 year old grandmother was there the whole time. Photo Credit: Dawn LX

Stuffed, fried peppers. Yum.
Photo Credit: Dawn LX

Local pasta.
Photo Credit: Dawn LX

In the next post...the ruins of Ancient Olympia!