Delphi

Delphi, on the southwestern slope of Mount Parnassus, was the most important oracle site in ancient Greece and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1987). The Greeks considered it the centre of the world, marked by the omphalos stone. Habitation dates to the Mycenaean period (15th century BC), while the sanctuary and oracle developed from the 8th century BC. The Pythia, priestess of Apollo, delivered prophecies that shaped public policy across the Greek world for nearly 2,000 years. The Panhellenic Pythian Games began in 582 BC. Emperor Theodosius closed the site around 385 AD. Key remains include the Temple of Apollo, the Treasury of Athens, the ancient theatre, and the stadium.