GREECE
CENTRAL GREECE
FOKIS
DELPHI
SANCTUARY
2024-11-06
the Sacred Way (1)
Modern Delphi was only formed in 1892, when the inhabitants of Kastri had to be rehoused due to the excavations 1 km to the East. - From the modern entrance to the Sanctuary of Apollo you first reach a square enclosed by Roman porticoes with typical masonry of this period. It is a former market-place for the sale of religious items where you also find Christian symbols.
Above: Behind this square begins the peribolos, or enclosure wall, that surrounds all of the sacred precinct.
Right and below: We are now on the first part of the Sacred Way, about 4-5 m wide, that steadily winds up to the temple. On either side of this Sacred Way, inscriptions can be seen and some remains of the countless votive offerings and monuments. The wealthiest city-states could afford to build "treasuries", of which there were about 20 - small temple-like buildings containing offerings to the Gods, often erected to commemorate victories. And it is obvious that the victor especially rejoiced at placing the trophies of his triumph immediately within sight of the defeated city's monument in Delphi.
