Delphi & the Korinth Canal
A comfortable cloud cover dawned over the mountains of Mount Parnassos National Park, as we prepared for our pilgrimage to the center of the ancient world. The sacred site of Delphi was known as the omphallos or the “navel of the world”. This was the site of the famous Delphi oracle, which foretold the fates and fortunes of individuals and empires alike. Set high in the hills fronting Mount Parnassus and gazing down upon two gorgeous valleys and a sea of olive trees, the setting is indicative of Delphi’s godly status.
Delphi was historically approached first by ship, and we departed after an early breakfast to drive up the valley that ancients from all realms of the Mediterranean world would have hiked. Our scholarly guides Sofia and Eleni walked us up the Sacred Way and past the many ruins of treasuries and monuments that the city-states of the ancient world had donated as tribute to the oracle and the God Apollo. The Temple of Apollo stands in the center of the site, and it was here that the priestesses would enter a trance and reveal the secrets of the oracles. Interpreted and translated by priests, the often ambiguous oracles had both personal and political influence on the entire Greek world.
Above the Temple of Apollo is the impressive theater, which sat 5,000 people, and further up the stadium. Many of us made the full hike up to the stadium and back down to the museum, adding wear to the ancient limestone steps and a little bit to our knees as well. We then navigated the busy museum, which is rich with the treasures that had been part of the sacred site and buried by years of earthquakes. The visit was a highlight of the voyage, and we were silent and reflective on the drive back down to the sea of olives.
After sailing through the Gulf of Korinth in the afternoon, we entered the 3.2 mile Korinth Canal at 1800. Cut through soft limestone, the sea level canal connects the Gulf of Korinth with the Aegean Sea, and separates the Peleponnesus from mainland Greece. Early Greeks used this narrowest part of the isthmus to sledge ships and cargo over land, and the Roman Emperor Nero had begun a canal in ancient times, but the present canal was only finished in the 19th century. The canal is barely big enough for Panorama and it was a fun transit and setting for our farewell cocktail party. Michelle’s photo show brought back images and memories of a full and varied voyage down the Dalmation Coast.
A comfortable cloud cover dawned over the mountains of Mount Parnassos National Park, as we prepared for our pilgrimage to the center of the ancient world. The sacred site of Delphi was known as the omphallos or the “navel of the world”. This was the site of the famous Delphi oracle, which foretold the fates and fortunes of individuals and empires alike. Set high in the hills fronting Mount Parnassus and gazing down upon two gorgeous valleys and a sea of olive trees, the setting is indicative of Delphi’s godly status.
Delphi was historically approached first by ship, and we departed after an early breakfast to drive up the valley that ancients from all realms of the Mediterranean world would have hiked. Our scholarly guides Sofia and Eleni walked us up the Sacred Way and past the many ruins of treasuries and monuments that the city-states of the ancient world had donated as tribute to the oracle and the God Apollo. The Temple of Apollo stands in the center of the site, and it was here that the priestesses would enter a trance and reveal the secrets of the oracles. Interpreted and translated by priests, the often ambiguous oracles had both personal and political influence on the entire Greek world.
Above the Temple of Apollo is the impressive theater, which sat 5,000 people, and further up the stadium. Many of us made the full hike up to the stadium and back down to the museum, adding wear to the ancient limestone steps and a little bit to our knees as well. We then navigated the busy museum, which is rich with the treasures that had been part of the sacred site and buried by years of earthquakes. The visit was a highlight of the voyage, and we were silent and reflective on the drive back down to the sea of olives.
After sailing through the Gulf of Korinth in the afternoon, we entered the 3.2 mile Korinth Canal at 1800. Cut through soft limestone, the sea level canal connects the Gulf of Korinth with the Aegean Sea, and separates the Peleponnesus from mainland Greece. Early Greeks used this narrowest part of the isthmus to sledge ships and cargo over land, and the Roman Emperor Nero had begun a canal in ancient times, but the present canal was only finished in the 19th century. The canal is barely big enough for Panorama and it was a fun transit and setting for our farewell cocktail party. Michelle’s photo show brought back images and memories of a full and varied voyage down the Dalmation Coast.
