Delphi today looks like an unpretentious village, but the Greeks believed that this site was the center of the world.
Zeus, the chief god in Greek mythology, stands behind Delphi’s catchy slogan. He sent two eagles flying across the world to find its geographic center. He released both of them at the same time, one from the East and the other one from the West, moving at equal speed. At the GPS location where the eagles’ paths crossed, Zeus threw a stone from the sky, and it fell just here. This is how Delphi, the center of the world (well, at least the center of the ancient Greek world), came to be.
Later, the navel of the Earth (the Grandmother Gaia) would become famous for the most successful Greek oracle – the Oracle of Delphi. It would be the place where Pythia, the Sybil priestess, mysteriously shaped the personal and collective histories of the Mediterranean.
It would also get to be known for the Pythian Games, precursors of the modern Olympics.
Did you know that Greeks competed naked at Olympic Games? You cannot do clothing-optional sports in Greece anymore, but you can still visit the best Greek nude beaches!
The stone thrown by the eagles may have been forgotten, but this hasn’t made it any less real! Welcome to Delphi, the Greek center of the world!
Kastalia – mystical nymph inspiring Delphi prophecies
“Before visiting the archeological site, you need to go to the Kastalian Spring and drink the water”, I got the instructions as soon as I checked in at the Hotel Kastalia in Delphi center. Warmly welcomed by the receptionist Dora, I’ve learned that the spring is considered to be sacred. It purifies the visitors before they consult the Oracle.
Pythia supposedly lived by the spring and used its waters for inspiration when giving prophecies. The spring was named after the prophetic nymph Kastalia (Castalia).
Her image or sculpture you will find neither at the Delphi Archeological Site nor at the Delphi Archeological Museum. The only place you can envisage this powerful entity is the lobby of Hotel Kastalia. The painting of the nymph, visible from the street, attracts the pedestrians passing by. Dora has even seen some worshippers bowing in front of it!
I passed on the offer of drinking from the spring for the time being and consoled with a Greek beer on the hotel terrace instead. The views of the Gulf of Corinth, the Ionian Sea backdrop, and Pleistos Valley, filled with olive trees, explained why ancient Greeks considered this part of Earth to be divine.
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Tholos – the perfect spot for a selfie at Delphi, the center of the world
Kastalian Spring is located just between the two significant archeological sites – the Temple of Apollo and the Temple of Athena Pronaia.
The first one might be more famous, as it dominates a much larger archeological area which includes even the Amphitheater and the Stadium.
But the symbol of Delphi today is Tholos – the structure that makes Athena Pronaia Temple at least visually recognizable.
Tholos is a distinctive circular building constructed around 380 BC. Only three of the twenty Doric columns have been restored. In the inner circle of this masterpiece structure, there were ten Corinthian columns. Their absence today did not affect its instagrammability. It is the most popular place to take photographs in Delphi.
In addition, the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia includes the remains of the three temple buildings dedicated to this goddess of wisdom. The oldest one might have been constructed 28 centuries ago!
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Temple of Apollo – the home of the ancient Greek oracle
Delphi Archeological Site is centered around the Temple of Apollo.
It was rebuilt several times in history, due to events such as fire or earthquake.
While the archeologists traced the erection of the first building to the 7th century BC, the mythologists know this is not true. Older Apollo’s sanctuaries were supposedly built of laurel, bee’s wax, feathers, and bronze!
The foundations we see today, together with several Doric columns, belong to the “youngest” of the temples – the one constructed in 320 BC.
The Temple of Apollo was the place where the sanctuary housed the omphalos (navel), the mythical Delphi stone that the eagles of Zeus dropped after encountering each other, thus marking the center of Earth.
In the heart of the temple, an eternal flame was burning. The famous Delphic maxim “Know thyself”, attributed to Apollo and given through this Greek Oracle, was carved into the temple walls.
Pythia was the biggest influencer of her time, and she didn’t even have an Instagram account!
However, the most famous part of the Sanctuary of Apollo in Delphi was the Delphic Oracle, the seat of Pythia.
Pythia was an old priestess who would sit on a tripod seat in an enclosed sanctum. Infused with inspiration coming from an opening in the earth or chasm, she would fall into a trance. Possessed by Apollo, she would then mumble, and the other priests would translate her ecstatic mutterings into – prophecies.
The whole ancient classical world was coming to Delphi to consult this reader of the fumes, before taking important decisions. What an influencer, in the times when social networks worked offline!
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Delphi experience of history, art, and sports
The Greek Oracle temple was at its peak between the sixth and fourth century BC. Pythia’s successful prophecies motivated many rulers and ordinary people to come for advice.
Many expressed their gratitude by giving gifts. The Sanctuary of Apollo became the depository of votive statues and smaller artworks kept in the treasuries. They were the expression of appreciation for the victories in the battles fought after the Oracle’s advice.
Often, the winners would bring one-tenth of the spoils of the battle (a tithe) to Apollo as an offering. Athenian Treasury, one of the restored buildings, housed the loot from the famous Battle of Marathon in 490 BC.
The structure’s pertinence lies in its walls as well – they bear the first inscriptions of the musical notes in history!
Marble kouros of twin brothers are the oldest monumental votive offerings at Delphi
Delphi Archeological Museum is the new home of the artifacts that started to be discovered only in 1893 after the medieval village of Kastri was relocated from the site.
The statue collection includes the depiction of famous athletes such as twin brothers Cleobis and Biton. These marble kouros date to 580 BC. The large marble Sphynx from Naxos or the bronze Charioteer with still preserved eyelashes are equally impressive. Then there is the statue of Antinous, the lover of the Roman Emperor Hadrian who frequently consulted the Greek Oracle in the 2nd century AD.
Two Delphi buildings served for the Pythian Games. The Theater, which could accommodate up to 4.500 spectators, was the venue for theatrical and musical contests. The Stadium, built to accept 6.500 people, was the place of the athletic competitions – the precursors of the Olympic Games.
Looking for kouros is one of the best things to do in Naxos island! Check them out!
Where is Delphi located?
Delphi is the center of the world, so as long as you do not go towards its edges, it should not be hard to find.
Jokes aside, Delphi is located in the center of Greece (where else?), at an altitude of 550 meters, on the steep slope of Mount Parnassos.
It is 180 kilometers away from Athens, in the northeast direction. There are direct bus connections from the capital to Delphi, and the ride takes about 3,5 hours.
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Where to stay in Delphi?
Kastalia Boutique Hotel is located five minutes away from the major sites of interest and therefore represents the perfect base for exploring the ancient Delphi.
Its renovated and modernly equipped rooms provide an upgraded experience of relaxation that one will need, especially if planning to hike in Delphi’s beautiful surroundings.
Kastalia Hotel is not just an adequate answer to the question “where to stay in Delphi”, but also to the question “where to eat in Delphi”! Elia Restaurant, on the hotel’s ground floor, serves generous portions of Greek food with a modern touch. I especially enjoyed their crunchy nut-crusted kefalotyri, chicken in orange, octopus with julienne vegetables, and genuinely fulfilling desserts!
Kastalia Boutique Hotel is managed by a former pilot and a flight attendant, people who understand what traveling is all about.
While the bathroom and balcony space could be a bit limited, the rooms provide all the basic needs one would expect from a 4-star property.
When all of it is garnished with warm hospitality, Kastalia Hotel turns out as a pleasant, welcoming, and recommendable Delphi accommodation option.
Delphi, the center of the world – the stone proves it
If the Christians wouldn’t have destroyed the Oracle of Delphi, maybe today we wouldn’t be saying that “all roads lead to Rome”. In the period of the Oracle, all roads led to – Delphi.
The Roman emperor Theodosius I shut it down in the late fourth century following the Christian attempts to wipe out all traces of Paganism and to make more room for their own temples and “one and only” god.
Even if historical events extinguished the legendary society that introduced the prophecy into politics, events such as earthquakes protected our knowledge of the ancient past.
The omphalos dropped by the eagles still exists in Delphi, providing solid proof to Greek mythology. This is the navel of the Earth. Are you ready to experience Delphi, the center of the world?
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Disclosure: My stay at the Kastalia Boutique Hotel was complimentary, but all opinions are my own. Also, this post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on them and make a purchase, Pipeaway might make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our work!
Delphi is a real gem full of ancient history, archaeology and legends. I love the legend about the two eagles and the stone dropped by Zeus, which became a place of worship and the center of the ancient world. A temple dedicated to the goddess of wisdom, which was built twenty eight centuries ago, would be very intriguing to see. Awesome destination. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks, Natalia!
I hope you get to see it yourself!
You can even touch the stone dropped by Zeus. Apparently, some people feel the special energy of the place!
Well, I guess it depends on the visitor’s mood 😉
Delphi sounds amazing, and the history is fascinating! I’m hoping to make it over to Greece later this year and will definitely be adding it to my list!
Great to hear it, Hanna!
Definitely let us know how it was!
Have a nice time in Greece!
I am here for a month and a half now, and still can’t stop discovering new fascinating things!