Delphi, a monastery, and the Gulf of Corinth

Alan and I had a full weekend. On Saturday we took the 3/4-hour bus ride to Delphi, and on Sunday we accompanied our hosts to a nearby monastery (Helen's choice) and to a beach at the Gulf of Corinth (Dimitris' choice).

Delphi is in on a beautiful cliff-side of Mt. Parnassos. It was believed it to be the center of the world, as two eagles released by Zeus at opposite ends of the earth met here, but the ancients were interested in Delphi largely because of its oracle. Pilgrims came to ask advice of the priestess, who would inhale fumes from a chasm and communicate with the god Apollo. Her mutterings would be translated by a priest into verse. Political and personal decisions were made based on the suggestion of the oracle's divine guidance. Delphi's reached its height in the 4th century BC.

The ancient ruins are divided into three sections: The Sanctuary of Apollo, the gymnasium, and the Sanctuary of Athena. We started our Delphi visit in the archaeology museum before heading out to see the ruins.

The Charioteer, Dimitris' favorite piece of Greek art

The Sanctuary of Apollo
Just in case you love recreated models as much as I do.

The Temple of Apollo, where the oracles were interpreted

A theater with a view

The tholos at the Sanctuary of Athena
Purpose unknown

Sunday morning, our hosts drove us to the nearby monastery of St. Luke Stiris (Moni Osiou Louka). There we were served rum and loukoumi (Turkish delight), like we would have been at any Greek monastery, and then briefly looked at the UNESCO-declared culture and heritage site. Four monks currently live at the monastery, but their lifestyle is not a private one; tour buses en route to Delphi from Athens stop here, thanks to the two churches covered in Byzantine frescoes.

Dimitris, Helen, and I at Moni Osiou Louka

Our next stop was at a little beach on the Gulf of Corinth. The water was strikingly clear and pleasantly warm, just like all of our other experiences with the Sea these days.