Itea and the Sanctuary of Delphi

From Paralia we continued west through the Gulf of Corinth to Itea.  Once again the passage involved bashing into the waves and to add insult to injury, there was no wind so it was motoring all the way.  At Itea was yet another deserted marina (these half finished, deserted marinas are scattered through Greece – such a waste!).  Most of the pontoon spaces were occupied by local runabouts and the harbour floor was filled with old anchors, tyres and broken lazy lines.  There were a few sail boats but none were occupied.  We found a nice spot along side and moored up; the only occupied boat in the marina.

Songster moored in the abandoned marina of Itea

 

We stayed in the pleasant town of Itea for several days, doing laundry, provisioning and waiting out two days of rain.  Finally when we had clear skies, we caught a local bus to our prime objective, the archaeological site of Delphi.  The ride up the mountain was quite spectacular – steep cliff faces, acres of olive groves and quaint villages clinging to the hillsides.

Looking down the valley to Itea

According to legend, Zeus determined Delphi to be the centre of the mother earth (Gaia). It was the home of the oracle of Delphi, the Pythia.  The oracle, a 'an older woman of a blameless life', would get into a trance after inhaling vapors from a chasm in the rocks then babble prophesies, interpreted by high priest. 

We first went to the excellent museum.  There were some exquisite bronzes from the 8^th to 6^th Century BC, bone carvings and gold pieces, Kouroi twins from Argos, the Sphinx of Naxos and the Charioteer.  

Bronze figures

Bronze griffins from cauldron holders

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Carvings from bone

Gold jewelry

Kouroi of Argos

The Sphinx of Naxos

The charioteer

Then we went to the archaeological site.  The setting on the side of Mt Parnassos was spectacular and the ruins very impressive.

 

The Stoa and Agora - Con's veggie shop, Mrs Papandopolous's dress shop perhaps?

The treasury of Athens

The bronze column of the tripod of Plataeans

The Temple of Apollo

The amphitheatre and Temple of Apollo from above

The stadium - site of the Pythian Games, precursors to the Olympics

By mid-afternoon we caught the bus back to Itea, feeling quite replete from having been surrounded by such remarkable ancient and natural beauty.