It is well worth visiting the archaeological site of Delphi, its history begins in 1400 BC and is directly connected to the Oracle of Delphi. Kings and warriors came to Delphi to consult the oracle of Pythia (the priestess). In exchange they offered treasures and a specific tax called "pelanos". In this way the Oracle became one of the wealthiest sanctuaries of the ancient world.
Like at Olympia, games were held at Delphi, know as the Pythian games. They took place every four years in honor of the god Apollo and included contests among poets, musicians, philosophers etc.
Delphi was brought back to light after the extensive and systematic excavations of German archaeologists (from 1840) and the French School of Athens (from 1892).
The temple of Apollo dominates the center of the sanctuary’s enclosure. The Sacred way leads up to the temple and to the right and left, elegant buildings such as Treasuries of the Athenians, the Sikyonians, the Sifnians, Arcades, the Stoa of the Athenians and many others. There are also the remains of the theatre, the Gymnasium and the temple of Athena Pronoia.
The archaeological museum is actually an integral part of the sanctuary and contains exclusively finds from the site of Delphi, mostly offerings and architectural parts. Some of the most important exhibits are: Cleobis and Biton, the archaic statues of the twin kouroi, the chryselephantine statues of gods Apollo and Artemis, the frieze on the treasury of the Siphnians, the metopes of the treasuries of the Sikyonians and of the Athenians, the Charioteer dedicated to Apollo by Polyzalos, the tyrant of Gela and the column of the dancing girls.
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