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Delphi

Delphi is built on the southwestern slopes of Mount Parnassos at an altitude of 590 meters. It lies 10 km from Arachova, 183 km northwest of Athens, 20 km northwest of Amfissa (the municipal seat), and 99 km east of Nafpaktos. In earlier times, the settlement was known as Kastri and was built directly on the site of today’s archaeological area, which at the time was buried beneath later constructions.

Although the archaeological importance of the site was well known, the residential character of the area made systematic excavations difficult. The limited financial resources of the newly established Greek state rendered expropriation almost impossible. It took a devastating earthquake in 1870, along with the modernizing policies of Charilaos Trikoupis, for the decision to be made to relocate the village and expropriate the site with foreign financial assistance. The famous “Great Excavation” finally began in 1892 under the auspices of the French School at Athens and lasted for a decade, revealing the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia, and many other important monuments.

After the excavations of 1892, Kastri was relocated further west and renamed Delphi. In the years that followed, the settlement experienced significant tourist development, benefiting from the world-renowned Archaeological Site of Delphi, which attracts visitors year-round. In recent years, tourism has been further enhanced by the nearby ski resorts of Mount Parnassos.


Ancient Tholos of Delphi with marble columns under a dramatic purple sunset sky

Delphi was home to the most important oracle of the ancient Greek world. The city is mentioned since Homeric times under the name Pytho. At the beginning of the historical era, it was one of the cities of ancient Phocis, but gradually its role expanded, and it evolved into a Panhellenic center and sacred city of the ancient Greeks. Delphi was also the seat of the Delphic Amphictyony. The city retained its importance until the late 4th century AD, when the operation of the oracle was definitively ended by decree of Emperor Theodosius I. In the following centuries, the city declined and was eventually abandoned during the period of the Slavic invasions.

According to tradition, the area of Delphi originally housed a sanctuary dedicated to the female deity Gaia, guarded by the fearsome dragon Python. According to local myths, Apollo became the lord of the sanctuary after killing Python. The god, transformed into a dolphin, then brought Minoans to the area, who founded his sanctuary. This myth of Apollo’s dominion survived through ritual reenactments during local festivals such as the Septeria, Delphinia, Thargelia, Theophania, and the Pythian Games.

During your visit to Delphi, you can explore the archaeological site and admire the Temple of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians, the ancient Theater, the Stadium, the Temple of Athena Pronaia, and many other ancient buildings and treasuries.

At the Archaeological Museum of Delphi, you can see the famous bronze statue of the Charioteer of Delphi, the Sphinx of Naxos, the marble statue of Antinous, the archaic Kouroi, the Silver Bull, the renowned metopes of the Treasury of the Siphnians, the Hymn to Apollo, and many other masterpieces of ancient art.


Marble columns of the Tholos of Delphi surrounded by ancient ruins and greenery

Beyond the archaeological site and museum, visitors can also explore, at the southeastern edge of the town, the house of Eva and Angelos Sikelianos, which today operates as a museum dedicated to the Delphic Festivals.

West of Delphi, on the road toward Itea, begins a 2-kilometer walking route leading to the location known as “Balcony of Hosios Loukas / Pavilion.” At the end of this route, the ancient table of the first temple dedicated to Hosios Loukas, who was born in Delphi, is preserved. Delphi is also home to the main facilities of the European Cultural Centre of Delphi. On its southern side lies an open-air sculpture park, featuring works by Greek and international artists such as Takis, Varotsos, Tsoclis, Zongolopoulos, Patsoglou, Gerard, Saiz, Romano, Reynaud, Noda, and others.

You may also stroll through the town’s market, with its numerous tourist shops, hotels of all categories, restaurants, and taverns, as well as banks and travel agencies available to serve visitors’ needs.
By following the ancient path now internationally known as the E4 European Trail, you can enjoy a scenic hike that leads toward higher elevations. A stop above the Phaedriades cliffs offers a breathtaking view: below lies the archaeological site, beyond it the olive groves of Chrisso and Amfissa, and in the distance Itea and Galaxidi. On clear days, the view extends as far as the coasts of the Peloponnese, offering a unique combination of mountain and sea.

Continuing further, you will reach the area of Kroki and, shortly afterward, Paliopanagia, where the Corycian Cave is located at an altitude of 1,360 meters. This sacred cave was dedicated to the worship of Pan and the Nymphs and remains one of the most evocative sites in the region.