the sanctuary

• It is separated almost in 2 sections, divided by the modern road
• Each is marked off from the surrounding space by a peribolos wall 
• The lower part contains a 4th c. temple to Athena Pronoia, Athena as goddess of foresight, a circular building whose purpose is still unknown, 2 treasuries, a 6th c. temple of Athena and altars
• Nearby was a gymnasium, with a covered running track, an outdoor running tack, Roman baths, a washing pool and a palaestra, a building used primarily for combat sports 
• This was one of the first architecturally complex gymnasiums built in the Greek world 
• The upper sanctuary is home to the religious elements and the focus
• The Sacred Way led worshippers from the entrance of the sanctuary up to the Temple of Apollo
• The theatre was located above and at the top of the sanctuary was the stadium 
• The myth associated with the location of the sanctuary was that Zeus sent 2 eagles, 1 to the east and 1 to the west and they met each other above Delphi
• Delphi contained an omphalos, the navel of the world and Delphi was believed to be the centre of the world