GREECE.

To the Ancient Greeks, Delphi was the center of the world. It is renowned for its oracle from whom they came to seek guidance and help. The oracles were consulted by a steady stream of pilgrims for a long period - from about the 12th century BC until the 4th century AD.

Delphi's most famous building is the TEMPLE OF APOLLO. It was from here that the priestesses would deliver their pronouncements.

A little down the hill from the Sanctuary of Apollo is the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia. The most photographed building there is the THOLOS.

The TREASURY OF THE ATHENIANS in the Sanctuary of Apollo has had a great deal of restoration work done on it.

The Plain of Thessalia in central Greece was once an inland sea. It is very fertile and the major agricultural area of Greece.

Jutting up from the Plain of Thessalia like rock sculptures are the Rocks of Meteora. Atop them are built the 13 Meteora monasteries dating from the early 14th century. The inset in the lower left corner is the St Stephen monastery which is now a nunnery.

The Monastery of the Great Meteoron is the grandest, highest, most distant and the oldest of the Meteora monasteries. Its domed church is magnificent and it also has a museum in its 16th century one-time dining room.

A Byzantine monastery, built on the slopes of Mt. Elikon.

The big church houses many fantastic gold mosaics and mural paintings from the Byzantine period.