Travel Highlights

Our second stop on our road trip was the ancient city of Delphi, now a well-preserved archaeological site and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. The ancient Greeks believed Delphi to be the center of the world. According to myths, scientifically confirmed, Delphi is the navel of the Earth, meaning it is the center point of the Earth! Over time, in addition to being a religious sanctuary, Delphi also became the base of Greek political and military guilds. Today, many travelers flock to Delphi to explore the glorious Delphic Temple and be transported back to ancient times. The temples of Delphi are surrounded by treasuries housing regional mythological shrines and verdant mountains, highlighting its beauty.

The drive from Olympia to Delphi takes 3 hours and 11 minutes. We drove north through the plains of Eliad and Achaia, crossing the Strait of Corinth via the cable bridge from Rion to Antirion. As we were about to enter the bridge, our eyes lit up because it was so majestic. After crossing the bridge, there was a parking lot before the toll booth. We got off to use the restroom and took the following photo on the overpass. After passing the toll booth, we had to go through the town of Nafpaktos and then started climbing up the mountain to Delphi, where the ruins of the Temple of Tholos are located

This is the cable bridge from Rion to Antirion across the Strait of Corinth. It is very beautiful and spectacular.

Drive along the coastline, stop at a flat place to rest and admire the clear and transparent coast.

Delphi's morning view

Room shot facing outwards

Our B&B Arion

The road on the mountain is narrow and parking is only possible on one side

Looking down to shoot the mountain and sea scenery

The church stands tall by the road

Steep downhill curve

Olive trees line the road

Orthodox Tudigong temples are often seen on the roadside.

Roadside telephone booth

Another church at the foot of the mountain

Small wildflowers along the road

Another ancient ruins at the foot of the mountain

The road leading to the Delphi Archaeological Museum and Site is lined with flags of various countries.

The Delphi Archaeological Museum houses a vast collection of artifacts unearthed during excavations at and near the mythical city of Delphi. Located near the archaeological site, it's considered one of Greece's top must-see museums, primarily due to the sheer breadth and quality of its collection. Upon its opening, it even surpassed the National Archaeological Museum in Athens in attendance! The permanent exhibition spans over a thousand years, from the Mycenaean era to the Greco-Roman period. Delphi was a major center of culture and worship in ancient Greece, and the significance of the artifacts unearthed at this sacred site is undeniable. The museum displays exhibits in chronological order across fourteen rooms across two floors. The Treasury of Sifnos, the Temple of Apollo, the Treasury of Athens, the Round Temple, and the Bronze Statue of the Charioteer are presented in separate rooms.

Tripod plays an important role in the Delphic Apollo myth!

In 580 BC, King Croesus of Lydia asked the Athenian statesman Solon who was the happiest person in the world. Solon mentioned the brothers Kleobis and Biton. When the brothers learned that their mother, a priestess at the temple of Hera, the goddess of heaven, was unable to move a large oxcart, they painstakingly towed it eight kilometers to reach a festival. When their mother prayed to Hera for a reward, Hera allowed the brothers to die in their sleep after the feast. The ancient Greeks seemed to value a beautiful death over a casualty of battle.

In 560 BC, the people of Naxos used a single piece of high-quality marble from the island to create this Sphinx. Standing 2.22 meters tall, it watches over the temple. The Greek Sphinx, with a woman's face, wings of a bird of prey, and the body of a lion, was a gate god guarding temples and royal tombs in ancient Greece.

On one side of the wall is a silver bull sacrificed by Korkyra in Ionia, 6th century BC

The relief on the east pediment depicts Hercules stealing the tripod that Apollo used to make myths. Although the treasury building of Sifnos is not as well-preserved as the Athenian treasury, the relief is even more impressive!

This is one of the most important bronze sculptures of ancient Greece in existence, and one of the most valuable at the Delphi Archaeological Museum. While the statue has the shy smile of the Archaic period, its expression reveals the severe style of the Serenissima period. Its posture is not as natural as that of the Classical period, leading it to be considered a very early Classical work, dating to around 470 BC. The eyebrows are clearly visible in the lower right corner of the head.

We happened to meet some children who were visiting here for a picnic. They were very enthusiastic and lively, and they could speak some English. They sat in the shade and had a picnic at lunch time.

Archaeological Site of Delphi

The ancient Greeks believed Delphi to be the center of the world. According to ancient mythology, Zeus released two eagles, one from the east and one from the west, and directed them to the center of the world. They met at the site of Delphi, where a stone called the omphalos (navel) later served as the temple of Apollo. Legend has it that Delphi's mythology originally belonged to the earth goddess Gaia, who was guarded by her child, Python. Apollo is said to have slain Python and established his own mythology there.

Temple of Apollo

Ruins of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, Greece

The theater is located on a high ground, with the Temple of Apollo below it, surrounded by towering mountains and an endless valley in front. It is worthy of being the navel of the world as claimed in mythology.

Delphi is located high in the mountains, so I thought there wouldn't be many good restaurants. But I was so self-righteous. I searched and found "To Patriko Mas" | Greek Mediterranean Restaurant. This is a very elegant restaurant with an unparalleled location, nestled high on a cliff. You can see the endless mountains extending to the sea. Add in the delicious food and wine, and what better moment in life could there be?

Weili order's baked seafood with cheese

Jinxiu order's baked pork chop

Jeff order's local goat meat is baked and very tender and delicious

It's so delicious that I smile with satisfaction

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