Greece - A day at the navel of Gaia (earth)

Day 3 of the trip was reserved for a tour of Delphi - there were two key destinations, the museum and the archeological site. As we did with Acropolis, we went to the museum first and then to the site.

This was a guided tour, took us abut 3 hours to get to Delphi in a comfortable coach with a breakfast stop in between. Unfortunately it was raining whole morning and we were worried if we will get to really enjoy the day. However, just before we reached Delphi sun came out for some time and I got to witness one of the most beautiful rainbows of my life. (no photograph of same as I spent my time just watching the rainbow rather than clicking it)

Once again I will use photographs to capture this day...first set is from the museum:

Two identical Kouros Statues. They are the oldest monumental votive offerings at Delphi, and one of the earliest examples of monumental archaic sculpture. Early 6th c. B.C. (circa 580 B.C.) Over life size (6.15m) each. Made by Polymedes of Argos.

Chryselephantine (gold and ivory) statues, possibly depicting Artemis (left) and Apollo (Above). 6th c. BCE.

Sphinx - front view

Large Sphinx of Naxos sitting on an Ionic column about 10m tall. Circa 560 B.C.

Sphinx - side view

The pediment and frieze from the east facade of the treasury of Siphnos. The pediment depicts the dispute between Heracles and Apollo for the oracular tripod. 525 BCE.

The omphalos of the earth. This sacred object was located in the Adyton of the Temple of Apollo, and was viewed only by the priests and priestess who had access to the chamber. It is a Hellenistic or Roman copy of the original



White kylix with a drawing of Apollo. 480-470 BCE.
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The god is crowned with a myrtle wreath and is seated on a lion-footed stool. He is holding his lyre and pours libations from a phiale, while a crow or a raven watches from a perch

 

The Charioteer of Delphi. 470 BC., 1.80 cm tall (5' 11")

The "Charioteer of Delphi" is one of the best known ancient Greek statues, and one of the best preserved examples of classical bronze casts. It is considered a fine example of the "Severe" style.

 

The sculpture depicts the driver of the chariot race at the moment when he presents his chariot and horses to the spectators in recognition of his victory. 

 

The Charioteer of Delphi is undoubtedly one of the main highlights of the museum, and it is exhibited in its very own hall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below are the pictures taken at the archeological site:

 

 

The restored Treasury of the Athenians at Delphi.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Athenian Treasury was a votive building in the form of a reduced scale temple, designed to hold the multitude of Athenian offerings to the Delphi oracle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stoa of the Athenians

 

 

 

 

Dedicated by the Athenians after the Persian War, the top step has an Archaic inscription dedicating trophies taken from the Persians.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temple of Apollo Doric columns

 

 

 

Temple of Apollo was first built around the 7th c. B.C. by the two legendary architects Trophonios and Agamedes. It was rebuilt after a fire in the 6th c. B.C. This temple was destroyed in 373 B.C. by an earthquake and was rebuilt for the third time in 330 B.C.





Delphi Theatre

The theater at Delphi is build further up the hill from the Temple of Apollo and it presented the seated audience with a spectacular view of the entire sanctuary below and the valley beyond. Its 35 rows can accommodate around five thousand spectators who in ancient times enjoyed plays, poetry readings, and musical events during the various festivals that took place periodically at Delphi.

Delphi Theatre with the temple of Apollo in the background.

Delphi Stadium

Mountain-top stadium where the Pythian athletic contests were performed. These were second in importance only to Olympic Games. Its stone seats could sit around 6500 spectators -  its track is 177.55 m long (about 550 ft.), and 25.50 m wide.

 

 

Aegean sea in the distance

We wrapped up the day with a lovely lunch in the village with a view of Aegean sea in the background. By lunch time it had started raining again and temperature dropped close to zero but we still managed to spend some time outside enjoying the beautiful views.

Delphi Village

Post lunch, we got back into the warm cocoon of our bus and started back for Athens. Thus ended our day at the center of earth (navel of Gaia)