Well folks there is a little hidden gem on the North shore of the Gulf of Corinth called Galaxidhi.  The arrival into the deep bay which leads north to Itea is quite something, especially on a very hot still day. The surrounding mountain ranges, some with snow on the peaks—again like Switzerland or the Italian Lakes---apart from some of the vegetation.  From the large bay we headed north west towards Galaxidhi past two tiny islands, one with a small church on it and across some shoals of shallow water which for a moment gave us the colour of the Caribbean. As you approach Galaxidhi from the sea you are faced with two tiny bays with the small town sitting between them and a prominent domed church on the hillside.

The small quay takes only a few yachts due to draft but in high season apparently they get big 25m and 35 m motor yachts in ---they have a shallower draft--- but where they squeeze in length ???

We got a great spot with plenty of water depth under us and stern to the quay. It is really great at this time of year, the towns are quiet, not too many boats, most of whom are travelling west/east.

We guess we are being spoilt and in high season we wont get into such beautiful places---ce la vie.

 

Twenty kilometres to the north of Galaxidhi is the Ancient site of Delphi and the Sanctuary of Apollo. We assumed it would be in an inland valley, in fact Delphi sits on the slopes of Mt Parnassos overlooking the Gulf of Corinth--- and now Tioram. The ‘new’ town of Delphi nestles in the slopes and is clearly seen from the sea. Ancient Delphi faces out from a gorge and looks south east into a valley---- just hidden from the sea and the incoming ships--- presumably deliberate ??

 

We visited yesterday and enjoyed the stunning location as much as the ruins, looking down steeply into the valley full of agriculture, cypress trees and thousands of olive trees.

The ‘town’ of Dephi was historically regarded by the ancient civilisations as the centre of the world and ‘naval of the earth’.  The Delphi museum now houses treasure dated from around the 8th century BC, but Delphi is said to have reached its high status between the 6th and 4th centuries BC.  Pilgrims made journeys to visit the ‘Oracle’ for advise--- a woman who in a vapour/drug induced state would make predictions interpreted by the priests. This status protected Delphi through the centuries under Greek and later Roman rule.

The ruins are very interesting, much of it scattered around after 3,000 years with parts reconstructed and the amphitheatre and stadium well intact. The ‘Sacred Way’ takes you on a path through the Treasuries and Temples past incredible precisely cut stone walls faced with inscriptions.

Many of the finer pieces of sculpture and artefacts are preserved in the museum.

 

Culturally it must have been a very fine place.  Elegant buildings, brightly painted facades and friezes (only seen in the museum), marble statues of the Gods in pleated robes, bronze statues, fresh water through large channels bubbling down the slopes through the town.

Athletic games held in the stadium only second in significance to Olympia. Plays held in the amphitheatre.   It makes one wonder how such advanced society was formed 3,000 years ago and how we lost it ??

 

We enjoyed the visit very much, especially the stunning spiritual location, but the ruins are less preserved than sites such as Ephesus and other historical sites we have been lucky to visit in the past, but here are some photos to enjoy.

 

Photos of ---

 

Arriving in the bay of Galaxidhi

 

Delphi on the slopes of Mt Parnassos.

 

Love to all

 

Tina and Tony x x