Delphic Oracle, Ancient oracle sanctuary in Delphi, Greece.

The Delphic Oracle is an ancient sanctuary on a terrace along the slopes of Mount Parnassus above the Gulf of Corinth. The complex spreads across several levels and includes a temple to Apollo, a theater, a stadium, and treasury buildings lining the Sacred Way.

The site began as a shrine to the earth goddess Gaia around 1400 BC before becoming the most important oracle in the Greek world by the 8th century BC. Rulers, generals, and ordinary citizens from across the Mediterranean traveled here to consult the Pythia.

The priestess was called Pythia after Python, the serpent Apollo killed here; her title, not a laurel ritual, links her to the site. Before speaking she bathed in the Castalia spring and drank from the Kassotis. The Delphians granted cities and later individuals promanteia, the right to consult the oracle ahead of others.

The path through the site climbs uphill over uneven ground with stone steps, so sturdy footwear is recommended. An early morning visit helps avoid summer heat and allows a quieter experience among the ruins.

The site was called Pytho until the 5th century BC, a name tied to the serpent Python that guarded the earlier oracle. The priestess took her title, Pythia, from the same serpent, which Apollo killed before claiming the sanctuary for himself.