DELPHI

During the Mycenaean period (XIV century BC), the female deity of Earth was worshipped in the small settlement of Delphi. As of the 8th century BC, the sanctuary was developed with the establishment of the cult to Apollo. Later, it was enlarged and enriched with nice buildings and statues due to the re-organization of the Pythian games. In 191 BC it was occupied by the Romans and during the Christian era, the sanctuary lost its religious meaning and was closed by orders of emperor Theodosius the Great. The site contains many important and impressive remains from which it is worth to mention the followings:

The Temple of Apollo: the first temple was erected in the 6th century BC. The visible ruins belong to the second one built on the same site of the previous in the 4th century BC. Inside was the "adyton" which is the center of the Delphic oracle and seat of Pythia.

The Treasury of the Athenians: a small building in Doric order. The Athenians built it at the end of the 6th century BC in order to house their offerings to Apollo. It is the only monument that was completely restored with its original stones.

The Altar of the Chians: erected by the people of Chios in the 5th century BC and situated in front of the Temple of Apollo. It was made of black marble except for the base and the cornice which were in white marble.

The Stoa of the Athenians: erected by the Athenians around 478 BC to house the trophies collected from their naval victories over the Persians. It is built in Ionic order and has seven columns, each one made from a single stone.

The Theatre of the sanctuary: originally built in the 4th century BC although the actual ruins date back to the Roman Imperial Period. The cavea had 35 rows of stone benches. It was used for theatrical performances during the great festivals of the sanctuary.

The Stadium: the pan Hellenic Pythian games used to take place in this Stadium in the 5th century BC when it was first constructed. Herods Atticus remodeled the Stadium in the 2nd century CE and then stone seats and monumental entrance were added.

The Castalia Spring: the sacred spring of Delphi lies in the ravine of the Phaedriades. The preserved remains of two monumental fountains that received the water from the spring date to the Archaic period and the Roman era. This later one is cut in the rock and has niches cut high in the cliff which probably held the offerings to the Nymph Castalia.

The Tholos: it is a circular building in Doric order erected around 380 BC. Its functions are doubtful but it should have been an important building judging from the multi-colored stone, the fine workmanship and high standard decoration.

The Polygonal wall: built after the destruction of Apollo's Temple in 548 BC in order to support the terrace on which the new temple was to be erected. The masonry is polygonal and the curved joints of the stones fit perfectly in place.

The Gymnasium: used by the youths of the city for their physical education. It consisted of two levels: the upper one was a stoa and a free open space for running practice, while the lower level was the palaestra, the pool and the baths (thermae).