Originally called Pytho, Delphi, in ancient times was a sacred enclosure that served as the seat of Pythia, the major oracle who was consulted on important decisions throughout the ancient classical world.

The ancient Greeks marked with the stone monument known as omphalos "navel", the place they considered to be the center of the world.

This vast archaeological complex located on the mountainside, on Mount Parnassus, contains the remains of the sanctuaries of Apollo and Athena Pronaia, as well as an ancient stadium and amphitheater.

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This is the Athena Pronaia sanctuary.

On the left, we see the Tholos, this circular building was built between 380 and 360 BC. 

It consisted of 20 exterior columns and 10 interior columns.

Three of the columns have been restored to show us what it would have looked like.


![20070911 070 IMG_1015-2.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/karma-panorama/Ep3epn2FAZP7DGVRcotJhmgTHgbTJAHqHxxLC13FSnQDx4DjkXWrCmCndnmhmf8hrqr)


The ruins of the Temple of Apollo visible today date from the 4th century BC. 

This place was very well like as it is the 6th temple erected on that same site.

![20070912 050 100_2659-2.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/karma-panorama/Eopts9yhvGRbBT2ajfkvdspQb6drKM1Eai6Tzodwdq4iFHiknUdJ9yzEWkpo4LZjat4)


The Altar of the Chians, in front of the temple of Apollo, is the high altar of the sanctuary and was built in the 5th century BC by the Chios. 

It is not very apparent in this photo, but it is entirely made of black marble, except for the base and the cornice; the altar contrasts with the rest of the site.

![IMG_1052-2.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/karma-panorama/23yJGg68L8cSGBqAtkCxbp2eJvL182DTCFB3AtJcaHTenTe2hjtcNvqqeVDXoKDZckzBv)


Not far from there, we can see the reconstructed Treasury of the Athenians that was built to commemorate their victory at the Battle of Marathon.

![IMG_1067-2.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/karma-panorama/23z7BuutovDQ27pB3BKWGHntXAQ7oL9Tzatd9HHffqHV4uWjJmExi7oCaTcK9saLkwt5J)

The stadium, which could accommodate 6,500 spectators, was built in the 5th century BC.

The track was 177 meters long and 25.5 meters wide. 

![IMG_1057-2.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/karma-panorama/23wgPusULCG5xWCc7iBqdEBeT3mcg8dnnpoxL6QZa3KUVtnFEfW1guGgyvrUJjJv1Dg3v)


The ancient theater was built in the 4th century BC, on the hill, next to the temple of Apollo, giving the 4,500 spectators it could accommodate, a beautiful view of the surrounding valley.

![IMG_1056-2.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/karma-panorama/Eoc81g19L7N589inAwgaCS439P4kHHidkq5qMBDpJDJ4zyebsTwF56nttPvZJNS4aZS)


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Photo taken with a Canon PowerShot A620.
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[//]:# (!pinmapple 38.482437 lat 22.500800 long d3scr)