the Entry of the Sanctuary of Apollo
the Entry of the Sanctuary of Apollo
1) The Court and the Stoa Agora
3rd c. B.C.
It seems that this area was the Agora-the ancient marketplace, where people would meet and congregate (Ecclesia*). It served as a place to prepare for the processions which walked towards the altar of Apollo using the «Sacred Way» path.
The Court and the Stoa Agora (the market place) of the Roman period from the SE.
The Court and the Stoa Agora (the market place) of the Roman period from the SW.
The remains of the constructions are from the reconfigurations of the area that took place during the Roman and Byzantine periods.
The bases belonged to statues of Roman emperors, perhaps even altars. In the back of the gallery, there were shops with small votive offerings, statuettes, tripods and other tributes, for worshippers on a pilgrimage to the temple.
Ecclesia: The ecclesia or ekklesia (in Greek: ἐκκλησία) was the principal assembly of the democracy of ancient Athens. It was the popular assembly, open to all male citizens as soon as they qualified for citizenship.
the Entry of the Sanctuary of Apollo
2) The Main entrance of the Sanctuary of Apollo
The main entrance and the starting point of the path leading to the temple, are located on the west side. The path is named Sacred Way even though it did not have the character of a wide street that accommodates processions.
The pilgrims would have to walk the Sacred Way path after purifying themselves in the the waters of the Castalian spring and the symbolic washing of the hands in the perirrhanteria* located in the right and left of the entrance.
The four large stairs, in front of the entrance, blocked the pathway for horseback-riders and chariots.
An opus isodomum technique was used on the retaining wall on the left, while a polygonal masonry technique was used on the right wall of the perimeter.
Perirrhanteria: basins of water used for ritual purification in temple and sanctuary entrances.
The reconstruction map of Delphi, by the Archaeological Guide of Greece
Designed and produced for a convenient and handy use in site and at home, it will assist you to visualize the Sanctuary of Apollo, where the Oracle of Delphi was, the Ancient Theater, the Stadion, the Gymnasion of Delphi and the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia.
The accurate map legend will give you information so you can place the monuments in their historical frame.
The Delphi reconstruction map is :
- a superb wall poster (85X56cm - 34X22in)
- an original gift for your family and friends
- an excellent souvenir of your travel
- a rich source of information
- a handy tool for your Delphi visit
Price €20.00
