The life and times of ancient Greek society and their habitation of Delphi (Delfi) is either of interest or not. We are not greatly into ancient societies or ancient history for that matter, but Delphi on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, is so well researched and archived that we decided to stop and take a look around. We were not disappointed!
We walked the 2 miles from the campsite to the Delphi museum and archaeological site. The museum is excellently appointed and has no nonsense staff in every hall to curb noise and unruly behaviour. It makes for quality viewing and enjoyment of the exhibits. Of the most striking was the bronze statue of the Charioteer.
http://www.ancient-greece.org/art/chiarioteer.html
The picture below is of a scale model showing The Sacred Precinct of the archaeological site which is the main attraction when visiting Delphi. You need time and you need to do some reading in the museum and of the pamphlets you are given to try and grasp all of what you see. It can be information overload but we had no regrets in going, the experience of ancient Greek civilisation and all of what it implies, is most fulfilling.
http://www.ancient.eu.com/delphi/
We planned our visit to be there before 11:30 because that's when the coaches carrying the hordes arrive, in so doing we stayed ahead of the crowd and viewed most of the site in relative peace - very important if you want to enjoy it. As it happened I teamed up with an American chap and berated a 20 something woman from eastern Europe ignoring a roped off area at the arena just to pose for a photo of herself, tramping all over 2,500 years of history with no respect. She was not pretty either ....
You will notice the lack of people in the pictures, go before 11:30 and stay ahead of the crowds! I can carry on and on regarding what can be seen but that is not the aim here. Ancient Greek history is complicated and as mentioned it can be too much. We tend to skim the surface and at least get a grasp of it, but some others had thick guide books trying to take it all in. Some took endless pictures on smart phones, some had £10,000 DSLR cameras and others followed their rambling guide through the stones with leather shoes, jackets, hats, sunglasses and bottled water .... oh dear.
We were back in town for a late lunch of Steak (me) and Moussaka (Joan) and chips, nicely presented in the shade on a terrace. Modern civilisation!
A wonderful two night stay and full day visit to ancient Delphi - and the red toad stool lighting inside the campsite!
Onwards to Athens!
Campsite mountain view near Delphi from our parked motorhome
We walked the 2 miles from the campsite to the Delphi museum and archaeological site. The museum is excellently appointed and has no nonsense staff in every hall to curb noise and unruly behaviour. It makes for quality viewing and enjoyment of the exhibits. Of the most striking was the bronze statue of the Charioteer.
The Charioteer
"The facial expression betrays none of the exuberance we would expect a victorious athlete to project, especially immediately following the race. Instead the athletic youth stands and stares with a natural ease that allows him to levitate in a realm between earthly and divine spaces".
http://www.ancient-greece.org/art/chiarioteer.html
The picture below is of a scale model showing The Sacred Precinct of the archaeological site which is the main attraction when visiting Delphi. You need time and you need to do some reading in the museum and of the pamphlets you are given to try and grasp all of what you see. It can be information overload but we had no regrets in going, the experience of ancient Greek civilisation and all of what it implies, is most fulfilling.
Model of the Sacred Precinct
http://www.ancient.eu.com/delphi/
We planned our visit to be there before 11:30 because that's when the coaches carrying the hordes arrive, in so doing we stayed ahead of the crowd and viewed most of the site in relative peace - very important if you want to enjoy it. As it happened I teamed up with an American chap and berated a 20 something woman from eastern Europe ignoring a roped off area at the arena just to pose for a photo of herself, tramping all over 2,500 years of history with no respect. She was not pretty either ....
Temple of Apollo
Bank of the Athenians
The Arena
The Theatre seen from the stage
You will notice the lack of people in the pictures, go before 11:30 and stay ahead of the crowds! I can carry on and on regarding what can be seen but that is not the aim here. Ancient Greek history is complicated and as mentioned it can be too much. We tend to skim the surface and at least get a grasp of it, but some others had thick guide books trying to take it all in. Some took endless pictures on smart phones, some had £10,000 DSLR cameras and others followed their rambling guide through the stones with leather shoes, jackets, hats, sunglasses and bottled water .... oh dear.
We were back in town for a late lunch of Steak (me) and Moussaka (Joan) and chips, nicely presented in the shade on a terrace. Modern civilisation!
Lunch on a shady terrace in Delphi
A wonderful two night stay and full day visit to ancient Delphi - and the red toad stool lighting inside the campsite!
Onwards to Athens!
No comments:
Post a Comment