European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 16, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Delphi when the Oracle spoke the world listened # of yet by j. King Cruger staff writer Delphi is considered by Many to be the most mystical and magical site in All of Greece it was Here flanked by a soaring Cliff on or Rolf Ide and a 1,900-foot-deep Ravine on the e other that the q Racle d e i Ive red i to Messa Ges womankind. The gods of the ancient greeks expressed their wishes to humans through oracles and the Oracle at Delphi was reckoned tops in its class. No Leader in the Mediterranean world would think of making an important decision without getting the Oracle s infallible advice a. Quot huge offerings were made  Oracle the spirit of the Snake monster Python the Snake spoke through an old woman seen Only by an inner Circle of priests. As the old woman either drugged or deranged chanted deliriously the priests translated her gibberish into prophecy for the anxious Public. Naturally the whole thing was a shuck but the con Wor ked fro m t he seventh be n Tury b. C. U n Tiia. D. 3 94, when the decree of theodosios the great banned both the functioning of the Sanctuary and the practising of its ancient religion. Over the years so Many buildings were erected in thanks to the Oracle that the sacred site became cluttered with monuments. A a ,. Rock and landslides covered the by then deserted Sanctuary in the sixth and seventh centuries and in time a town was built atop the rubble finally in 1891, the Village was moved a Short distance away and excavations started. While contemplating the ruins these Days it is very difficult to conjure up what the sprawling site must have looked like except that it was certainly grand and crammed with buildings statues and monuments Entrance to the main site with its theater stadium and Sanctuary of Phythian Apollo costs about $4. Delphi s archaeological museum near the Sanctuary costs a like amount to enter and the Price is certainly Worth it if Only to see two certified masterpieces of greek Art a the frieze of the Siphn Tan Treasury and the charioteer of Delphi. Delphi 110 Miles Northwest of Athens is easily reached by Public buses. Overnight visitors in the area stay in either the nearby modern town of Delphi or six Miles away in Arac Hova a ski resort on the slopes below mount Parnassus. Doubles with Bath run about $30-$35 in area  photos by Michael Abrams the Tholos in the Sanctuary of Athena Pronia at Delphi. 12 stripes Magazine june 16, 1994