Delphi
Our lovely guide Nia had advised us to keep a lookout for wildlife. So before breakfast we had a visitor.
The Museum
Outside the museum is a mosaic floor
A bronze shield. Imagine the weight, and the strength needed to lift it.
Grave markers – cultural equivalent of our tombstones:
Gold adornments – the face is actually ivory, blackened in a fire.
Our guide Nia showing her passionate side. She started as an archeologist, but later as an art historian. She has Masters Degrees in both fields.
Remnants of a silver bull c 6th Century BC. Parts were solid silver, some silver plated bronze. Examinations indicated it was supported on a wooden frame.
The charioteers. A winner indicated by the ribbon. Notice the aloof expression.
Leaving the museum, we encounter a plethora of wildlife.
Some like the cats and dogs is really just a part of Greek life, but some of the others are unexpected.
Sanctuary of Apollo
The Navel
More correctly the Omphalus of Delphi. Zeus released 2 golden eagles to fly in opposite directions, and where they met would mark the centre of the world. He then threw a stone down to mark the spot.
Treasury of the Athenians
This housed trophies from the Athenians’ navel victories. Used for bragging rights over the other cities.
Delphi Theatre
Waterfront
After the temples, we wandered around the city looking for lunch, and ended with not terribly appetising pastries. Not surprisingly, even on the waterfront it was stiflingly hot.
I am not sure if the sign relays its message as a toilet for the disabled, or an out of commission convenience.
As a sign of the integration of cats and dogs into the community, there were also automatic feeders for them.
Themopyle
On the road out of Delphi was a monument to the battle at Themopyle. This is where 300 Spartans and 700 Thespians fought over a million Persians and delayed their encroachment into Greece. (It is the basis of the movie ‘300’)
