Delphi & the Gulf of Korinth
Although it involved an early start to our day, the morning’s excursion to the ancient site of Delphi was amazing. Driving from the modern port of Itea, on the Gulf of Korinth, we climbed a winding road to this stunning sacred site.
Situated on a cliff, Delphi was carved out of the surrounding limestone mountains, over centuries. The polygonal stones of ancient Cyclopean walls have survived the strong seismic activity of this region, allowing us to read the ancient inscriptions of the Delphic Oracle’s proclamations. Nestled in and amongst the ruins and rocks that make up the Oracle were a myriad of late spring wildflowers.
The base of the temple of Apollo was covered in bright pink common centaury, adding contrasting colors to the stones and reminding everyone of the unchanging natural world that has embraced this pilgrimage site. Thousands of years ago people who made a journey to visit the Oracle at Delphi would have encountered the same flowers we saw today….a continuum of sorts; bringing past and present together. After taking in the views of the valley we had the opportunity to visit the on-site museum that has one of the best preserved sphinxes of antiquity.
The afternoon we sailed west in the Gulf of Korinth, and enjoyed a late afternoon swim under the shadows of the cliffs of Nafpaktos. The castle here was an essential part of the Venetian defenses at the battle of Lepanto. Plunging into the waters might not have been a challenge comparable to that of the ancient pilgrims who ventured to Delphi to learn their fortunes, but it was a suitable adventurous way to finish the day.
Although it involved an early start to our day, the morning’s excursion to the ancient site of Delphi was amazing. Driving from the modern port of Itea, on the Gulf of Korinth, we climbed a winding road to this stunning sacred site.
Situated on a cliff, Delphi was carved out of the surrounding limestone mountains, over centuries. The polygonal stones of ancient Cyclopean walls have survived the strong seismic activity of this region, allowing us to read the ancient inscriptions of the Delphic Oracle’s proclamations. Nestled in and amongst the ruins and rocks that make up the Oracle were a myriad of late spring wildflowers.
The base of the temple of Apollo was covered in bright pink common centaury, adding contrasting colors to the stones and reminding everyone of the unchanging natural world that has embraced this pilgrimage site. Thousands of years ago people who made a journey to visit the Oracle at Delphi would have encountered the same flowers we saw today….a continuum of sorts; bringing past and present together. After taking in the views of the valley we had the opportunity to visit the on-site museum that has one of the best preserved sphinxes of antiquity.
The afternoon we sailed west in the Gulf of Korinth, and enjoyed a late afternoon swim under the shadows of the cliffs of Nafpaktos. The castle here was an essential part of the Venetian defenses at the battle of Lepanto. Plunging into the waters might not have been a challenge comparable to that of the ancient pilgrims who ventured to Delphi to learn their fortunes, but it was a suitable adventurous way to finish the day.
