metopes

Ancient Delphi managed to amass a considerable treasure trove, and this is reflected the magnificent Delphi Museum (22650 82312; www.culture.gr/war/index_en.jsp; adult site or museum around €6, adult/student site & museum around €9/around €5, free Sun Nov-Mar; museum ;07:30-19:30 Apr-Oct, 08:30-18:45 Mon-Fri, 08:30-15:00 Sat, Sun & public holidays Nov-Mar; site ;07:30-19:30 Apr-Oct, 08:00-17:00 Nov-Mar).

Upon entering the museum, in room 3 you'll first notice parts of the frieze from the Siphnian treasury, which depicts not only the battle between the gods and the giants, but also the Judgment of Paris, who was called upon to decide which goddess was most beautiful (he chose Aphrodite). Also residing in this room is the Sphinx of the Naxians, dating from 560 BC. In room 4 are two fine examples of 6th-century-BC kouroi, the 'twins of Argos'.

In the rooms to the left are fragments of metopes from the Athenian treasury depicting the Labours of Hercules, the Exploits of Theseus and the Battle of the Amazons. Further on you can't miss the tall Acanthus Column of Dancers, with three women dancing around its top. Next to it is the omphalos, a sculpted cone that once stood at what was considered the centre of the world. In the end room is the celebrated life-size Bronze Charioteer, which commemorates a victory in the Pythian Games of 478 or 474 BC.