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SEE DELPHI

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Table of Contents: 
SEE ANCIENT DELPHI.
DELPHI TOWN AND AREA
ARACHOVA

You will quickly see Delphi is more up and down than side to side.
The Tholos at Delphi

See Delphi, the old and the new.

The navel of Mother Earth. The playground of Apollo, and home to the mystical Oracle.

But there is more to this area, two + hours drive from Athens.

Come, let’s see Delphi, old and new. You will understand why a few hours is not enough time to experience this magical area.

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See Ancient Delphi

The main reason people come to this area is for the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Delphi. 

That by itself is worth seeing.

The cheap seats in the theater offer the best view as the temple is right behind the stage.
Looking down over Ancient Delphi.

 

You quickly see Delphi was about Apollo.
The Temple of Apollo from below.

 

There is no flat area at Delphi so terraces are necessary.
The Polygonal Wall forms the temple base.

 

Here they list the slaves who donated their lives to Apollo, like they had any say in the matter.
Inscriptions in the wall are at least 2000 years old.

 

Pillars from one piece of marble are rare. Delphi has several.
The Serpent Column of Plataea is hand carved.

 

You will quickly see, Delphi real estate goes up closer to the temple.
The Treasury of the Athenians. Its location is not an accident.

 

Athen was a city state so they had the funding for several structures.
The Athenians also have a stoa at the other end of the Sacred Way. They are covered in many ways.

 

The Temple of Apollo is visible from just about anywhere in the site.
There are only two structures that are higher than the temple, one is the theater, which faces the temple.

 

The games are an important money maker to Delphi.
The other is the stadium, on the only large flat area near the site.

 

You will see Delphi, as well as all citys, took health very seriously. The gym was their biggest weapon.
Below the main site is what’s left of the gymnasium. In the old days, it was the main gate to Delphi.

 

See Delphi’s Museum

What a great location for a museum, adjacent to the main entrance. The museum was a brilliant idea. Not only did it keep treasures, well, the ones not pilfered by other countries, near the site. It also reduced the threat of damage moving them great distances. Can you imagine finding something 3000 years old in pristine shape, and then dropping it? Leave plenty of time to see Delphi’s museum.

If you get to Naxos, you can visit the ruins of the marble mines where this piece of marble, and a certain Venus from Milos began.
The Sphinx from Naxos.

 

Can you imagine how it looked? Mosaic floors, frescoed walls, and Greek architecture everywhere. Everyone must have been in awe.
Even the sidewalks and floors of Delphi are impressive.

 

The amount of relics helps you see Delphi was no small site. The wealth and power are obvious.
Statues in front of a photo where they were standing.

 

Many bronze statues would become weapons.
One of the oldest pieces of bronze artwork to be recovered, the Charioteer.

 

Remember, this is at a time when there are no computers or fancy tools for creating.
Thousands of years later, you can still see some of the detail.

 

But why do people not stay for the charming hilltop and seaside villages? Explore and see the magnificent mountains, valleys, and plains?

I believe it is because people don’t know what else there is to see.

Less than a mile from the archeological site is the charming hillside village of Delphi. A great place to immerse yourself in the area.

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See Delphi and the Surrounding Area.

When the last day trip bus rolls out of town, you can feel the village drop its shoulders and relax. It’s time for a glass of local wine and a sunset. After that, join locals at a taverna for a real Greek meal.

From Delphi, on a clear day, you can see to the Gulf of Corinth.
Hilltop towns for some reason have great views.

 

You will quickly see Delphi is a traditional Greek village as soon as the tour buses leave.
Architecture really can tell the history of a town.

 

You can see Delphi from the valley below.
Delphi’s hillside location.

 

If, when they excavate the Hippodrome near Itea, this will be a must visit location.
Itea, the port for Delphi and home to several good Seafood tavernas once the sun goes down.

 

If a little downtime and small village life are not for you, check out where many Athenians go for some weekend wild.

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See Arachova

A ski resort by winter, and a great weekend escape from the heat of Athens in the summer, Arachova is part trendy, part Greek village.

There is not a lot to see in the village and it is easiest to see on foot.

You cannt see Delphi from Arachova, but it is not too far away.
Sunsets, towards Delphi, do not suck from Arachova.

 

Arachova has modern areas but thank goodness, it holds on to its old ones as well.
You don’t believe the roads are winding? Entertainment is watching the long tour buses make these turns.

 

People in the city escape to get some fresh air.
Arachova in the summer has cooler mountain temperatures.

 

You can see Delphi in the cold winter and there are fewer tourists.
In the winter, it is the base for nearby ski resorts.

 

For those looking to hike and taste the traditional dishes of the region, Arachova is probably the best base. If you get away from where the tour buses are lined up in the parking area.

Read more about Central Greece cuisine.

See Delphi Summary

As you can see, Delphi and the surrounding area offers more than just some ruins. Make sure to leave plenty of time to explore the archeological site and museum, but save time for Delphi village and Arachova.

And make sure to sample the local cuisine and black wine.

Come, see Delphi and discover for yourself.

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