At the foothills of Mount Parnassus, in the awe-inspiring natural landscape formed between two towering rocks, the Phaedriades, lies the Panhellenic sanctuary of Delphi and the most renowned oracle of ancient Greece. Delphi was the navel of the earth, where, according to mythology, the two eagles sent by Zeus from the ends of the universe met to find the center of the world. For many centuries, it served as the spiritual and religious center and the symbol of unity for ancient Hellenism.
The history of Delphi is lost in prehistory and the myths of the ancient Greeks. According to tradition, the site was originally home to a sanctuary dedicated to the female deity of the Earth, guarded by the fearsome dragon Python. Apollo slew Python, and his own sanctuary was established by Cretans who arrived at Kirrha, the port of Delphi, accompanied by the god himself, transformed into a dolphin. This myth about Apollo’s dominance survived in celebratory reenactments held in Delphi, including the Septeria, Delphinia, Thargelia, Theophania, and, of course, the famous Pythian Games, which commemorated the god’s victory over Python and featured musical contests and athletic competitions.
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The period from the 6th to the 4th century BC marks the great peak of the Delphic oracle. Its prophecies, considered the most reliable, were delivered by the Pythia, the priestess of the oracle, and interpreted by Apollo’s priests. Cities, rulers, and ordinary people hastened to consult the god and expressed their gratitude with magnificent offerings, which gradually filled the sanctuary.
The fame of the oracle reached the ends of the world, and its origins were lost in the depths of antiquity and myth. It is believed that the Delphic oracle made decisive prophecies regarding Deucalion’s flood, the Argonautic expedition, and the Trojan War, while its crucial role in the founding of Greek colonies is well-documented. However, the prestige and power of Delphi also sparked two more Sacred Wars, in the mid-5th and mid-4th centuries BC. In the 3rd century BC, a new political and military force emerged—the Aetolians—who asserted their presence in the sanctuary through various offerings. During the period of Roman rule (after 168 BC), Delphi at times enjoyed imperial favor and at other times suffered plundering, such as by Sulla in 86 BC.
In 394 AD, the operation of the oracle was definitively ended by a decree of the Byzantine Emperor Theodosius I. With the rise of Christianity, Delphi became the seat of a bishopric but was abandoned in the early 7th century AD, during the Slavic invasions. Over time, the ancient sanctuary was buried and covered, and much later, an entire village, Kastri, was built over its buried ruins. In modern times, Kastri attracted visits from philhellenic travelers.
Archaeological research at Delphi began around 1860 by German scholars. In 1891, the French received approval from the Greek government to conduct systematic excavations, leading to the so-called "Great Excavation" after the village of Kastri was relocated. During this excavation, impressive discoveries came to light, including approximately 3,000 inscriptions that reveal various aspects of ancient public life.
Today, work at the site of the two Delphic sanctuaries continues through the collaboration of the Greek Archaeological Service and the French School, involving both excavation and restoration activities. The only monument that retained enough of its original material for an almost complete reconstruction was the Treasury of the Athenians, which was restored between 1903 and 1906 by the French with funding from the Municipality of Athens. Other restored monuments include the Altar of the Chians, the Temple of Apollo, and the Tholos.
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