Gymnasium, Delphi

The Gymnasium at Delphi is a building complex of the 4th century BC at Delphi, Greece, which comprised the xystus and the palaestra, along with its auxiliary buildings such as the changing rooms and baths [1]. Some remains of archaic buildings, discovered under the xystus, were possibly related to a sanctuary dedicated to Demeter and indicate the sanctity of the area from earlier times [1]. The Gymnasium of Delphi was situated between the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia and the Castalian Spring [1]. The Gymnasium consisted of two main building complexes arrayed along two terraces [1]. The xystos was a covered portico measuring about 186 by 9 metres [1]. It was initially formed by a Doric colonnade made of poros stone, dated to the 4th century and consisting of 83 columns [1]. In the Roman period this colonnade was replaced by an Ionic one made of marble but with the same number of columns [1]. To the west of the palaestra there is still visible today a round pool of a 10-metre-long diameter and a depth of 1.80 metres [1].