GREECE CENTRAL GREECE FOKIS DELPHI MUSEUM

The Archaeological Museum Delphi houses only the finds from excavations in Delphi. Although regionally limited, this gives a very good impression of the evolution of Greek art through the centuries. And when it comes to Archaic Greek sculpture, this is definitely one of the most important museums in the world.

Above and left: Mycenaean idols.

Below left: Bronze figurines from the sanctuary of Apollo, about 900-700 BC.

Below right: Bronze protomes of griffins.

Above left: Photographs documenting one of the happiest moments during the French excavations in Delphi: the statues of Kleobis and Biton are unearthed. - The two colossal kouroi of Kleobis and Biton were made by the Argive sculptor Polymedes (about 600 BC), showing the transition from the Daedalic to the Archaic style. Typical features are the "Archaic smile", the left foot put in front, and the rigid posture of the arms. In Greek mythological tradition, Kleobis and Biton were sons of Kydippe, priestess of Hera. Yoking themselves to their mother's chariot, they pulled it from Argos 10 km far to the Argive Heraion. Myth narrates that, as a reward, the goddess let them fall asleep there and called them to heaven.

Below left: Architectural detail. - Below right: Caryatid from the vestibule of the Syphnian Treasury.