Delphi and At Sea
We woke up in the little port of Itea, on the north of the Gulf of Corinth. We set off early to explore the interior. Snow-capped mountains surrounded the area. Our destination was Delphi – the center of the world.
Delphi, one of the Panhellenic sanctuaries of the ancient Greek world was not only a great sanctuary but also the most popular oracle. For many centuries people came here to consult Apollo, the God of Prophesy, about events concerning themselves or their city-states. Over the years they embellished the site with magnificent temples and artwork. In the 4th century A.D. everything came to a halt. The Christian Roman emperors had decreed “no more paganism.” The site was abandoned to its fate. Centuries later a village was situated in the same location – until the great excavation.
Little by little the ruins surfaced: a Roman Agora, the Sacred Way, monuments by cities, treasuries and endless statues. Apollo’s temple commands the site. Beneath it was the vent which gave out the vapor – the epiphany of the god. Above the temple – the theater where music competitions ended with laurels placed on winners’ heads. Even further up the mountain – the stadium where the Pythian Games took place.
At the museum we admired the Sphinx of Naxos, the frieze from the Siphnos Treasury, the bowl depicting Apollo and of course the fabulous bronze Charioteer.
Full of new images, light, flowers and experiences, we returned to the ship. As we sailed away dolphins escorted us, reminding us of Apollo’s symbol.
