Roadtrip to Delphi

Here is the first batch of our pictures from our trip to Delphi.  On Tues. we drove the 2hrs to the mainland to check out one of the most sacred spots in all of Greece.  We got to drive over the Antirio bridge for the first time as well (pic)!  The drive was beautiful, and a little scary but to get to Delphi you have to climb the mountains.  The town sits precipitously on the edge of a cliff.  It is a magnificent location.  Ancient Delphi and the archaeological ruins were constructed here under the presumption that this was the center of the world.  According to Greek mythology, Zeus released two eagles at opposite ends of the world and they met here.  To me the most interesting part of Delphi is the story of the Oracle, which is next to the Athenian Treasury in the second picture.  You might be familiar if you have seen the movie 300, if you haven't you should see it!  

The Delphic Oracle, the most powerful in Greece, sat on a tripod at the entrance to a chasm that emitted intoxicating vapours.  A popular story proposes that the earliest oracles were young women who regularly ran off with their advice-seeking pilgrims, leaving the post temporarily vacant.  Hence it became customary for the appointed seer (Pythia) to be at least 50 years of age.  When she was consulted for divine advice, the priestess inhaled the fumes and entered a trance.  Her inspired, if a little vague, answers were translated into verse by a priest.  In fact, the oracle's reputation for infallibility may have rested with the often ambiguous or cryptic answers.  Wars were fought, marriages were sealed and journeys begun on the strength of the oracle's visions.  Legend holds that one oracle suffered for her vagueness, whether vapour-induced or not.  When Alexander the Great visited, hoping to hear a prophecy that he would soon conquer the ancient world, the oracle refused direct comment, instead asking that he return later.  Enraged, he dragged her by the hair out of the chamber until she screamed, 'Let go of me; you're unbeatable.'  He quickly dropped her, saying 'I have my answer.'

At this location is also the magnificent Temple of Apollo, one of the most well preserved ancient theaters and at the very top of a very steep climb is the also very well preserved stadium.  Just south of the sanctuary of Apollo is the Sanctuary of Athena, another beautiful archaeological site.  After hiking around to the point of exhaustion we understood Alexander the Great, and any other unsatisfied pilgrim's frustration at hiking all the way to to seek the Oracle's guidance and not hear what you were hoping for.  It is probably one of the most beautiful, sacred spots in Greece though and we were glad we made the trip.