Delphi. Archaeological Delphi, with its shrine and the oracle of Apollo the god of light, was considered the "navel of the earth" by the ancients. Delphi was the largest religious and spiritual center of ancient Greece, with a fame and authority that radiated throughout the Mediterranean area. From countries in the farthest reaches of the world, official delegations came to see how the priestess of the god stood on important issues, like war and peace, but also, ordinary people came with their personal problems. The glory of the oracle continued almost unabated throughout antiquity, but with the rise of Christianity and the disappearance of idolatry, the shrine fell into disrepair and finally became completely obsolete.
Text: Jorgos and Wendy Nikolidakis - Text edited by Katrina Butzer
According to the legend, two eagles that Zeus had sent down from the remotest corners of the universe, chose this to be the center of the world. On the basis of this myth, the Greeks believed that the navel stone of Delphi was the geographical center of the earth. This again emphasized the importance attached to this location. The sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi is terraced on a slope, at the foot of the Parnassos. The location at the Fedriaden Rocks, with a high cliff that rises almost vertically behind it, and with the background the Gulf of Itea, is breathtaking.
Film Delphi (Delfi) - ©JustGreece.com