Highlights of the Day
We visited the Delphi Archaeological Site, home to the ancient Oracle of Delphi. Legend says a sweet-smelling gas allowed the priestess Pythia to enter a trance and deliver Apollo’s cryptic prophecies. Over time, the oracle expanded, attracting visitors from across Greece. The Temple of Apollo, once Delphi’s centerpiece, now stands in ruins. We also saw the well-preserved ancient theater and visited the Delphi Archaeological Museum, home to the Sphinx of Naxos. In the afternoon, we explored Arachova, known as “Little Switzerland.” Finding parking was tricky, but the town’s charm made it worth the effort.
Logistics
Accommodation: ATHENS MARRIOTT HOTEL (highly recommended)
Transportation: Public transportation or rideshare
Today, we visited the Delphi Archaeological Site, famous for the ancient Oracle of Delphi. It is said that a sweet-smelling gas would rise from the ground here, allowing the priestess Pythia to predict the future. People from all over came to consult her. Pythia, wearing gold and a robe, would enter a trance and speak in the voice of Apollo. The answers were often vague and unclear, with priests interpreting them. Despite this, people kept coming, and the number of oracles grew from one to many. The oracle’s sessions expanded from once a year to several months.
Delphi was also a shared sacred site for Greek city-states, with the main structure being the Temple of Apollo. According to legend, Zeus sent two eagles from opposite ends of the Earth. They met at Delphi, which became known as the center of the world. Today, only a few columns of the Temple of Apollo remain, and the rest is left to imagination.
Compared to other structures, the ancient theater in Delphi is well-preserved.
We visited the Delphi Archaeological Museum, which is small but interesting. One notable piece is the Sphinx of Naxos, a 2.25-meter-high statue from 560 BC. It was originally placed atop an 11-meter-high column. The Sphinx symbolized wisdom in ancient Egypt but was seen as a symbol of evil in Greece. The Sphinx riddle was the same in both cultures.
In the afternoon, we visited Arachova, a town known as “Little Switzerland.” We circled the town a few times before finding a parking spot, unsure if it was legal. My husband stayed in the car, ready to move if needed, while Lily and I explored the town. Arachova is beautiful beautiful. Its stone-built houses, red-tiled roofs, and narrow cobblestone streets create a charming, old-world atmosphere.
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