Delfos

Delfos, known in English as Delphi, is an ancient archaeological site and nearby modern town in central Greece. It lies on the southern slopes of Mount Parnassus in the Phocis regional unit, near the Gulf of Corinth. The site houses the Sanctuary of Apollo and was regarded in antiquity as the omphalos, or navel, of the world, central to Greek religious life. The Oracle of Delphi, served by the priestess known as the Pythia, delivered prophetic responses that guided city-states, rulers, and individuals for centuries. Delphi was also governed by the Amphictyony, a council of Greek states that supervised the sanctuary and its sacred rituals.

The archaeological complex includes the Temple of Apollo, the Theatre, the Stadium, and a series of treasuries erected by various city-states, along with the Castalian Spring and the Sacred Way. Notable monuments and sculpture, such as the Charioteer of Delphi, have been recovered from the site and are housed in the Delphi Archaeological Museum. The remains reflect Delphi's significant religious and cultural influence across the ancient Greek world, from the 8th century BCE onward, and its role as a center of oracular consultation, athletics, and the arts.

In 1987, Delphi was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the designation Ancient Delphi. The modern town of Delfos serves as a gateway for visitors and hosts ongoing archaeological and cultural activities, preserving both the historic site and its surrounding landscape.