The Sanctuary of Apollo

Delphi (Δελφοί; Delphi), located in central Greece about 180 kilometers northwest of Athens, is an ancient city built on the southern slopes of Mount Parnassus. It was regarded by the ancient Greeks as the center of the world and served as a sacred site dedicated to Apollo. In 1987, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to legend, in ancient times, this land on the southern slopes of Mount Parnassus was occupied by a fierce serpent named Python (Πύθων; Python). The young Apollo slew Python with his divine bow and established his sanctuary there. The site features numerous attractions, including the following: The Treasury of the Athenians (Θησαυρός τῶν Ἀθηναίων; Treasury of the Athenians) was built around 490 BCE. It is believed to have been funded by the citizens of Athens to celebrate their victory in the Battle of Marathon (Μάχη τοῦ Μαραθῶνος; Battle of Marathon) and dedicated to Apollo. The Temple of Apollo (Ναός τοῦ Ἀπόλλωνος; Temple of Apollo) is the main structure in Delphi, dedicated to Apollo. Its history dates back to the 8th century BCE, and the current structure is the third temple, rebuilt in the 4th century BCE with contributions from city-states like Sparta and Athens. The Theatre of Delphi (Θέατρον Δελφῶν; Theatre of Delphi) is located above the Temple of Apollo. This open-air theater, built on the southern slopes of Mount Parnassus in the 4th century BCE, was used for artistic competitions during the Pythian Games (Πύθια Ἀγῶνες; Pythian Games). The Stadium of Delphi (Στάδιον Δελφῶν; Stadium of Delphi), also known as the Stadium of the Pythian Games (Στάδιον τῶν Πυθίων Ἀγώνων; Stadium of the Pythian Games), is situated above the Theatre of Delphi. Built in the 5th century BCE and expanded in the 3rd century BCE, it served as the venue for foot races and chariot races during the Pythian Games. Important Notes: The archaeological site of Delphi is vast and offers little shade. Be sure to bring enough water and take adequate sun protection measures before your visit.