Itea
We woke up after a relatively smooth passage from Ithaca in the quaint town of Itea. The sky was blue and the sea was calm. Eager to visit the Oracle of Delphi we set out at 8:00am. We approached Delphi passing the Sanctuary of Athena Pronoia and the Spring of Kastalia. We had the Sanctuary of Apollo to ourselves and so we took our time climbing the Sacred Way up to the temple.
On the way, we imagined statues and treasuries and most of all thousands of people, who visited the site in its heyday. People came from all over the ancient world to receive answers to important questions but also to marvel at its glory. In the fourth century A.D. paganism was banned by Christian Roman Emperors and the sanctuary closed. We were reminded that Delphi was considered “the navel of the world.” A stone navel made that statement. A council house brought to mind the Amphictyonia – a league of tribes. The Sphinx of Naxos led to the story of Oedipus and how something inevitable cannot be avoided.
The temple impressed us with its size and we all imagined ourselves sitting on a tripod, inhaling the magic vapor and uttering prophetic words. The theatre made us think of musical contests and the stadium of ancient games. The museum visit complemented the site visit. Knowing where all the artifacts were found and where they stood made a great difference. Everyone awed at Cleovis and Viton – the heroes of Argos who died in their prime and the magnificent Charioteer making his winner’s round.
Late in the afternoon we made the Corinth Canal crossing. The Aegean Sea and Piraeus await us…
