• The “navel” of the world - Delphi

    11 giugno 2024, Grecia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    We continue to visit historical sites in Greece. Yesterday we visited Delphi. Ancient Greeks believed that Delphi was the “Navel of the Earth,” a place seen as a spiritual focal point for all Greeks starting in the 8th century BC; it included many sanctuaries and the most prestigious oracle in all of ancient Greece. This is where Pythia, the high priestess, uttered the divine advice of god Apollo to mortals who travelled from across the world to seek a prophecy. Apart from Greeks, the Oracle was visited also by foreign leaders and dignitaries who were anxious to know the will of Apollo on important state affairs.
    The Delphi site was raided, abandoned for centuries and eventually buried with dirt and a village. In 1893 there was an earthquake and the village was damaged and then relocated, leaving archaeologists free to dig in the area (known to have been an important historic site).
    In addition to the site, there is a great museum. We had a knowledgeable guide (Penelope) who educated us on many aspects of the history and the ruins.
    It was a hot day but not as hot as forecasted. After our educational/historical experience we checked out a local village that felt more alpine ski town than what we think of as Greek and then we had a delicious dinner.
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