Delphi Square (Greece)

On the southwestern slope of Parnassos mountain, less than 10km from Corinth Bay, in a spectacular stone circular square has the remains of the largest cathedral worshiping the god of Apollo .

(Photo: Greecetravel)

Here, the god Apollo was worshiped and uttered words of thunder transmitted by the priestess Pythia. The wide range of these relics shows the importance of religion and politics under Delphi. At the height of the sixth century BC, it was the religious center of the Greek world.

Its influence lasted until the time of Christian prosperity, the sacred road with treasures lying on both sides, ie small shrines erected by the cities of the city to lay out sacrifices. It winds up to the Temple of Apollo (4th century BC). Above the temple there is a theater, a stadium and an arena near the Castalic stream, all of which serve the Greek Pythian competitions.

On the other side of the stream is the cathedral of Athéna Pronaia, in which the most famous building is the Tholos marble circular house built at the beginning of the fourth century BC . On the plateau, there is a town on the side of the cathedral. The site was in danger because it was located in the center of a seismic region and was struck most recently by an earthquake in 1981. Climate conditions also caused damage. In addition, due to tourists coming to the east so that Delphi authorities have to map out the journey to visit, forcing visitors to go around the temples to prevent the stone of the building from being worn quickly.

Before writing Delphi to the World Heritage List in 1877, the World Heritage Committee asked to abolish a plan to build an aluminum factory nearby. Authorities Greece followed that request and arranged to move the plant 55km away from Delphi.

Tholos marble round house (Photo: Kastellia.gr)