During antiquity, Delphi was a very important religious site. The oracle of the sanctuary of Apollo attracted many pilgrims there.
Built on the slopes of an abrupt hill, the site remains majestic.
It is divided in two main archaeological zones, the sanctuary of Athena in the east and the sanctuary of Apollo in the west.
A very old sanctuary existed first in the IIth millennium before our era. For the Greeks, it is Zeus himself who founded Delphi at the center of the universe. A goddess of the Earth from an old worship predicted already the future, she was protected by his son, the snake-dragon Python. Apollo, son of Zeus, killed him boring it by its arrows.
After having expiated its crime during eight years, Apollo replaced Python, becoming the Oracle who spoke through the Pythea.
Great sovereigns of the antiquity required advises from the Pythea - a priestess with an irreproachable life undoubtedly well selected – who followed a specific ritual, drank the water of the Cassotos fountain to enter in fright making her in contact with the Oracle Apollo in order to answer to the questions.
While arriving, the pilgrims went first to the sanctuary of Athena to honor the goddess there, they went then to the fountain, then entered the sanctuary where they followed the Sacred way by depositing their offerings in the Treasury corresponding to their own city. They went to the Temple of Apollo after various necessary rituals.
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