Delphi & temple of Apollo, Greece

Delphi is visited by many travelers because is a well known archaeological site and also a modern town in Greece. In ancient times it was home of the most important temple of god Apollo. Delphi was known as the site of the oracle stone, the centre of the Universe. In the hearth of the Temple of Apollo eternal flame burned. After the battle of Plataea, the Greek cities extinguished their fires and brought new fire from hearth of Greece, Delphi.
Delphi is located on a plateau on the slope of Mount Parnassus, adjacent to the Sanctuary of Apollo, the site of the ancient Apollonian Oracle. This semicircular spur is known as Phaedriades and overlooks the Pleistos Valley. Harbor Kirrha is located southwest from Delphi, in the Corinthian Gulf.

Pythia & the oracle

A another legend say that Apollo walked to Delphi from the north and stopped at Tempe, a city in Thessaly, to pick laurel (bay tree). In commemoration of this legend, the winners at the Pythian Games received a wreath of laurel picked in Tempe. Delphi was in the ancient times site of the Pythian Games and a famous oracle. Even now, Delphi is perhaps best-known in the world for the oracle at the sanctuary of Apollo.
The priestess of the oracle from Delphi was known as Pythia. On the entrance of the site is a large number of votive statues and numerous treasuries. These were built by various states - those overseas as well as those on the mainland - to commemorate victories and to thank the oracle for important advices. The most impressive is the now-restored Treasury of Athens, built to commemorate the Athenians' victory at the Battle of Marathon against Persia. The Athenians became the advice by the oracle to put their faith in their "wooden walls". Taking this advice to mean their navy, they won the famous battle from Salamis.

The modern Delfoi

In mediaeval times, parts of Boeotia and Phocis were settled by Arvanites. When they arrived in Greece, being invited by the Frankish rulers of the area, they built a village directly on the vacated site of Delphi using marble columns and structures from the ruins as support for their improvised houses. The Arvanite village named Kastri - now renamed Delphi - was moved several miles off the site on a new location.
The modern Delphi (Delfoi) is situated west of the archaeological site. It's passed by a major highway linking Amfissa along with Itea and Arachova. The city area includes Chrysso, which in ancient times was known as Crissa.