Delphi
The wider Delphi region
One of the most imposing places of the world, the “Navel of the World” according to ancient Greeks. Just two hours from Athens, it is the natural “gateway” to the Municipality of Delphi and a favorite tourist destination. A World Heritage Monument according to UNESCO with the archeological site leaving an unforgettable experience in Greece (according to a survey by the Greek National Tourism Organization – NGTO).
Mythology and history meet at a stunning geophysical landscape that leaves the visitor breathless and floods him with positive energy. With a large hospitality, dining & modern shopping network, an extensive network of ancient and modern paths and located between mountain and sea, it constitutes the ideal base for discovering the splendid Delphic land.
In ancient times, Delphi was the most important pan-Hellenic oracle. It was listed among the 100 most sacred sites in the world. In the past, kings, mortals, politicians, and generals would flock here for a favorable oracle from god Apollo. The Oracle of Delphi has indelibly marked Greek and international history. Its first settlement dates back to the Mycenaean period (14th-11th century B.C.) and was the seat of the Delphic Amphictyony (6th century B.C.). The Sanctuary reached its peak of glory around the 4th century B.C – 4th century A.D. with the Pythian Games constituting their point of reference. The 1882 excavations brought to light the ruins of the sacred site. From 1883, the settlement is transferred 300m to the west, the current location of modern day Delphi.
Sightseeing
Delphic Landscape – Archeological Sites of Delphi – Hosios Loukas Balcony/Pavilion – Municipal Museum of Angelos and Eva Sikelianos – European Culture Center of Delphi – Open-Air Sculpture Park of the European Culture Center of Delphi (ECCD)- funerary complex of Meleager – “Delphic Light” – Observatory – Aghios Nikolaos – Monastery of Prophet Elias – Korykio Antro – Ag. Georgios Plateau
Vagonetto Park is a unique thematic park in Amfissa area, where visitors have the opportunity to follow the lives of miners and visit a real underground gallery, by getting off at the voxitis mining galleries with the mining wagon. Unique representations with modern audio-visual systems are exhibited at the Museum of Mining History.
Prophet Elias Fokidos Monastery
Within a distance of 7 km northwest of Chrisso, is the monastery of Prophet Elias built in a wonderful location, standing at an altitude of 400 m above the huge olive grove of Amfissa, overlooking the Gulf of Corinth, Galaxidi and the opposite mountains of the Peloponnese.
The monastery is well known because during the Revolution of 1821 it was the stronghold and refuge of the fighters of Eastern Central Greece, until August 1825, when the Turks destroyed it and demolished the old Temple, which was rebuilt on the same site in 1834. .
In February 1943 it was set on fire by the Italians and gradually rebuilt from 1961 onwards.
In recent years, it has been transformed from a monastery for men to a women’s one, and very important maintenance and promotion works have been carried out at the monastery. Today, the visitor can admire mainly its beautiful wood-carved iconostasis with representations from the Old and New Testaments, but also its valuable library, with handwritten documents and letters from the period of the Greek Revolution.
Alternative Activities in the wider area
Climbing
– in the climbing field ‘’Portes’’ in Agios Konstantinos region in Amfissa, in Plaka Sykias and Piramida and Plativouna.
Hiking
– in Parnassos, on the E4 path, accommodation in the mountaineering shelters of Parnassos, Vardousia and Giona, climbing in Sykia, air sports in Amfissa (Kofinas), Desfina and Itea, off-road routes in the forest road network in all the mountains of Fokida, exploration of caves (in Korikion Antro, in the cave “Eptastomos” of Parnassos, in Agia Eleousa Polydrosou, the Katovothra of Agoriani).
