Delphi
The center of the world
The road to Delphi through beautiful scenery made of rugged mountains and wilderness.
What is more, it already account before you arrive, the effort made by the ancient civilization to build a site so important in this area.
Set in a charming environment, with excellent views overlooking a valley, where the look comes down to the sea, here are the impressive ruins of what was in antiquity as "the center of the world."
... "Zeus was to choose its location in Delphi: he made two eagles flying around the earth in opposite directions, the point where it was met with Delphi ...
Delphi was the seat of Apollo dell'oracolo. Here for individuals and the responsibilities of the state were to consult the oracle before taking any decision.
It was a priestess in the hypnotic state to communicate with the god Apollo: applications were delivered by a priest, and the answers, though often ambiguous, were heard "almost always" with great respect.
The archaeological site is located on the slopes of
Mount Parnassos approximately 1km from the center of the village past the ticket office, beginning the long climb that ends at the stadium. Walk along the Via Sacra, which were laid the offerings of those who lent to consult the oracle. Shortly after you meet the majestic ruins of the Temple of the god Apollo. Do not know the exact location dell'oracolo, but is supposed to be in some cell in the Temple. Continuing always up on the slopes of the mountain you reach the magnificent amphitheater (fourth century BC). The last building that you come across is the Stadium, considered one of the best preserved in Greece, just before where you have the best view across the valley and the entire site: Featured Theater, and the columns of the Temple of Apollo, while in the distance you can see the famous Tholos, the most spectacular of Delphi. The ruins themselves, united to the majestic, create great suggestion.
To reach the Tholos (or Tholos) you must return to the ticket office, cross the road and continue for 500m. (best move in the car for those who can).
The Tholos is truly magnificent: it is a circular temple consisting of an outer ring of 20 Doric columns and 10 Corinthian columns innermost now become the symbol represents more of Delphi.
Finally, you can visit the museum which houses much of the treasures of antiquity.
The entrance to the archaeological site costs only € 6, with the museum € 9.
Delphi is also a problem in the summer heat, and all the years of big groups, so you must hurry and prepare for the visit in the early morning, before the 9th
For accommodation there are endless possibilities, from camping to the b & b, from 4 stars to retirement.
Personally I opted for the Hotel Parnassos. Good 2 star hotel that is integrated in the style of a little mountain village, central, discrete rooms, breakfast very poor. Price paid for a triple room with breakfast € 70, best price found on the Booking.
In the center there are numerous restaurants, almost all the main street lined with terraces overlooking the valley and magnificent views. Competitive price, abundant portions, dinner for three persons € 35 based on Greek salad, mousakka and grilled meat with the inevitable Souvlaki (skewer) and lamb, accompanied by Rizi (rice).
Meteors
The monasteries hanging in the sky
Meteors: a place for some time desired, and that has not betrayed my expectations.
Just off the road that penetrates between the majestic pinnacles, which rise so impressive emerge from nothing, you realize they come in one of the most bizarre that may exist.
But it is not enough of nature: man has wisely emphasized the built environment so bold to say the least a series of monasteries on top of its pinnacles. A majestic, an emotion for the eyes. Experience increases proceeding along the road until you reach the foot of the first monastery, where the look is lost at 360 ° in search of the most evocative. And here's another monastery, then a more ... amazing!
Impressive is the contrast with the green at the base of the pinnacles and the smooth rock that stands out to the sky, and monasteries that seem suspended above, almost unattainable. And they are not unattainable, however there is accessed via stairs carved in rock, is a breathtaking climb to the same path, both for the incredible view across the valley with a series of pinnacles bizarre forms, which seem endless.
For each curve there is a different view, a beautiful new angle, another box to take a memorable photo.
But it is not nothing compared to what I expect from the top of the rock Agenda Triada, the most austere, the one where the number of monks outnumber the tourists: the wind blowing strong, the sense of vertigo looking into the void, the bell that rings and then .... silence, peace seems to be in a lost time.
The monasteries date from the fourteenth century. It seems the hermits monks who lived in the valley, have been encouraged to build their monasteries in places inaccessible to defend itself from incursions of the Turkish population. At that time, to reach the top drives were used: some of them are still operating to transport materials and supplies and that of Agia Triada, although modified, still carries people.
Point of departure for the visit of the area are the villages of
Kastraki and
Kalambaka, built close to the
Meteors.
From here the road winding around 10km across the whole area and makes it possible to achieve all six monasteries to visit, while others are closed to the public.
The cost to enter each monastery is € 2 and are available to the skirts to cover her legs uncovered. The climb to the monastery is not very tiring and it takes approximately 10 minutes each.
Each monastery is the katholikon (church), the courtyard, the cloisters and the monks' cells (not visited because currently inhabited).
The first monastery you'll find is the Moni Rousanou, perhaps the most incredible deals entirely because the base of a pinnacle.
The road ends at a junction: turn left you arrive at Moni-Megalou Meteoru, the monastery the most visited and certainly the richest of the area. Built on the highest pinnacle at a height of more than 600mt presents a church full of decorations, in addition to the wine cellars that hold the old tools work used by the monks. From the courtyard you can enjoy an unforgettable view, with the Varlaam Moni, built on a pinnacle in our own feet, which is accessed through a large and spectacular staircase carved literally on the side of the pinnacle.
Returning to the junction and taking the right is reached Agias Triados, in my opinion a must because, being the least visited, retains the look of quiet and austere once.
Also offers the most spectacular view of the valley, overlooking the underlying
Kalambaka.
Just before the monastery, on the right, a short path leads to an incredible vantage point: here we are on top of a pinnacle, and the last stone is placed without any protection overlooking the valley, from dizziness. The 360 ° view is nothing short of amazing: you can see row 5 in monasteries and the most incredible rock throughout the area.
The last monastery that is encountered is Agiou Stefanou, one of the largest and most visited and which houses an order of nuns.
Even if all the monasteries can be visited during the day, is less laborious to split the visit in two days. In addition, some observe a day of closing a week in rotation, for which you will find at least one monastery closed the same day.
For the night you can choose between
Kalambaka and
Kastraki, practically attacked. The first offers more choice of hotels, the second is in a position even more spectacular and there are many b & b, rooms for rent and elegant restaurants.
I opted for the Hotel Orfeas, excellent 3-star hotel, elegant lobby, huge swimming pool to cool in the hot afternoons, very large rooms, good breakfast. Price triple room € 80, best price found by contacting the hotel directly.
For dinner there are plenty of cheap taverns with traditional Greek cuisine and grilled meats.
After dinner, there are some places in the center, but my advice is to abandon sounds and noises and go back up there, to admire one of the most unforgettable sunset: the tourists finished their visit, the silence is master, the sun slowly descends behind to the highest pinnacle illuminating the last monastery:
Perhaps what I have before, is exactly the same image to 700 years ago;
Perhaps, tonight, I realized the secret of time machine ...