Delphi

The Region of Central Greece has put up a bid for Delphi to claim the title of European Capital of Culture in 2021. The statement from the region said: “Delphi is undoubtedly a world-class cultural monument.”

The local authority plans to create a joint working group to prepare the town’s bid in the best possible way.

Background

The Panhellenic Sanctuary of Delphi, once regarded as the most famous oracle of ancient Greece, lies at the foot of Mt. Parnassos. Regarded as the center of the world, it is here that two eagles were sent out by Zeus from the ends of the universe to find the navel of the world. It was revered in antiquity as the omphalos of activity.

The Central Archaeological Council announced on Monday that a copy of a bronze column dedicated by 31 city states that had fought in the Battle of Plataeans (479 BC) against the Persians will be replicated and put on display at Delphi. The bronze is currently in Istanbul and stands at six meters.

Deputy Culture Minister Nikos Xydakis announced the introduction of e-tickets for access to archeological sites. The e-ticket envisions entry to seven archeological sites around the Acropolis (Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, Temple of Olympizan Zeus, Keramikos, Theater of Dionysus, Hadrian's Library).

The new ticket will be launched in mid-June, ahead of the summer tourist season.

Italian archaeologist and art historian Antonio Corso is considered an expert in ancient Greek sculptures. In an interview to protothema.gr he provides his theory, backed by evidence, on the Amphipolis complex.

The tumulus lies in northern Greece’s Macedonia province, east of the city of Thessaloniki and nearer to the town of Serres.

The pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi, where the priestess serving as oracle of Apollo provided prophesies and answered ancient Greeks' questions, for a small donation. Delphi is known as the omphalos - Greek for 'navel of the world'. The archaeological monuments blend harmoniously with the superb mountainous landscape. Delphi in the 6th century B.C.