Our first stop has been revered as sacred since ancient times. It originally hosted a Temple of Apollo, from which the name Daphni, or “laurel” in Greek, derives. A small Christian monastery was built here in the 6^th century, in dedication to the Virgin Mary.  During the peak of the Byzantine Empire it was rebuilt on a much grander scale and, although it has withstood Frankish crusaders, Ottoman occupation, war and earthquakes, it stands before you today as a unique legacy of historical and architectural value. UNESCO has of course included this religious masterpiece of Byzantine architecture with its sumptuous interior gold mosaics in the World Heritage List.

In Byzantine theology, the church symbolized the Christian universe, and it was intended to reflect the splendor of heaven. You will be instantly drawn to the most essential and prominent of the mosaics: Christ Pantocrator (Lord of the Universe) watching over all from the crown of the dome. This fine example of ecclesiastical art will be forever etched in your memory.

Let’s explore the judgment seat, or “bema” in the Agora, where Paul stood in front of Gallio, proconsul at the time, accused of persuading people to pray to a new god. We will also discover the Fountain Peirene, said to have been a favored watering-hole of Pegasus, sacred to the Muses. Poets would once travel there from far away eager to quench their thirst at the fountain and receive divine inspiration. We will also marvel at one of the earliest Doric temples, built around 560 BC, on top of an imposing, rocky hill, the Temple of Apollo. This magnificent site, a Hellenic World Heritage Monument, was an emblem for the city of Corinth, reflecting its growth and prosperity.

After a day full of beautiful images and fascinating exploration, we will deliver you back to your hotel with a plethora of new topics to discuss as the evening sets in, and many memories to take back home.