Stone bridge to the Oracle, a photo from Viotia, Central Greece

Photographer's Note

One more photo from the Krya Springs in Leivadia town. Here you can see one of the many stone bridges of Erkyna river, dating back from the Ottoman Era. This particular one, leads to the springs "belonging" to the Trofonion Oracle or Oracle of Trofonios Zeus, known as springs of Forgetfullness and Rememberance.

Probably you can see behind the bridge, some "holes" on the rocks (for a better look, CHECK HERE) where in the ancient years stood statues of the Gods. Trofonion Oracle, was the most "peculiar" Oracle of Ancient Greece. The oracle was given by the "spirit" of a "hero" (Trofonios). There were other Hero-oracles ("Ηρωομαντεία"= "Iroomantia") in ancient Greece, but here ends any similarity of this Oracle with any other.

First of all, the main part of the Oracle, was inside a cave, it was underground. Underground oracles could be found in Ancient Greece, only before the religion of the 12 gods of Olympus, at an early era, when Gaia ("Γαία"="Γη"= Earth) was the main deity. The only underground Oracle during the Era of the Olympian Gods, was the Trofonion. The other main diference, is that in Trofonion Oracle, there was no need for "Mediums", such as Pythia or Sivylla, in the Delfoi Oracle, or any priest to interpret god's messages as in Dodoni Oracle. Here, the one that asked for the oracle, was hearing the "spirit" talking, or was seeing visions inside the cave, where he stayed alone in complete darkness for several hours, even days.

Before entering the cave, he should preper (purify) himseld for many days, staying by the springs and river Erkyna, making sacrifices to the Gods. The last night before entering the cave, you took a bath in the Spring of Forgetfulness (to forget all the "burden" he carried with him) and another bath, in the spring of Rememberance (so he could remember what he would hear or see inside the cave).

The oracle was highly "confidential" and the man when he came out of the cave, could only tell it to the priests waiting for him, and helping him "recover". It seems that staying in the cave was a rather traumatic experience, the man who had asked for the oracle, felt something like a heavy depresion, and was losing his ability to speak or laugh for a large period of time. There was an expression in Ancient Greek for someone who looked very melancholic, saying, that he probably had visited the Trofonion Oracle («εκ Τροφωνίου μεμάντευται»).

***MORE PHOTOS FROM LIVADIA AND AROUND***

bema, Budapestman, atha2pan, ahmetgedikli, Gerrit, elendim, ymrk, vasilpro, Pitoncle, stelli, dip, gneufeld, azaf1, danos, pasternak, labro33, delkoo, asajernigan ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

atha2pan (3811) 2009-01-16 4:30

Irakli file mou geia sou!
Ksereis poso poly mou aresei i douleia sou. Kata kapoion tropo zileo, kai ksereis giati?
a) Giati eisai sinexos stin Ellada
b) Gaiti taksideyeis stin Ellada
Zileo fysika me tin thetiki enia.
I fotografia sou aney kritikis. Oti mporouse na bjei sosto, se sena bjike aristo.
Se xaireto,
Sakis

batalay (41261) 2009-01-16 4:31

Hello Hercules,

The graceful bridge creates an astonishing frame, but at the same time, as a slender architectural edifice, it presents a contrast to the rugged cliffs. As a physicist, I use Greek symbols in my equations, and I was so happy to be sound out the names in Greek, before I read your informative note.

Warm regards, Hercules, have a good weekend.

Bulent

Morac (27725) 2009-01-16 4:40

Hello,

C'est une superbe composition, avec ce magnifique pont de pierre.
Bonne journée
Marc

Budapestman (82620) 2009-01-16 4:48

Hi Hercules,
What a romantic and beautiful atmosphere. Several beautiful details are visible on the photo. Very much likes the stone-bridge, the spectacular waterfall, the romantic environment. Sight fitting painting... But I can imagine one of the scenes of the Lord of the rings in this wonderful environment. great.... Congratulations, my friend! Have a nice day!
George

bema (26591) 2009-01-16 4:49

Kalispera Hercules,

what an idyllic and mystic place, as well as your fantastic capture here..
love this little bridges as most, even in stone or other construction..

have a fine weekend , Jassu Bernd

ahmetgedikli (25609) 2009-01-16 4:59

Hercules Merhaba,
Very beautiful compo. The POV, contrast and colours are superb. Well done.
Have a good WE.
Ahmet

Gerrit (62042) 2009-01-16 5:09

Hi Hercules,
a bridge out iof romantic painting.Eonderful all that plants coming out of the stobnes.
Great compo and colors.
Regards, gerrit

gilou530 (34) 2009-01-16 5:53

salut hercules
un contraste des pierres qui fait bien ressorir la texture, les couleurs sont bien saturées et le pont en ressort mis en valeur de la plus belle des façons
amitiés
gilbert

elendim (69) 2009-01-16 6:14

Γεια σου Ηρακλη!!
Παρα πολη καλη η φωτογραφια σου με υπεροχα χρωματα!!

Χαιρετω
Ελενα!

npecanhuk (79329) 2009-01-16 6:35

Hello Hercules!
Superb composition!
The image is really interesting and truly beautiful! Colors are very nice! Exposure was outstanding! The detail of the flowing water is very attractive! I really like it!
TFS - Congratulations!
Warmest regards,
Neyvan

JanD (0) 2009-01-16 6:57

Howdy Cretense!
Amazing bridge. Wonderful background. Good composition. Ideal sharp. Superb effect.
Regards!

vasilpro (41801) 2009-01-16 8:06

Καλησπέρα Ηρακλή,
έχω πάει αρκετές φορές στη Λιβαδειά και έχω φωτογραφίσει τους καταρράκτες, αλλά φωτογραφίες σαν και τις δικές σου δεν μπορούσα ποτέ να φανταστώ ότι θα υπάρξουν.
Απλά άψογες.
Χαιρετώ, Βασίλης.

silvan (1786) 2009-01-16 8:11

Hello Hercules,
Wondefull work.
Many delicious details, beautifull colours.
Compliments
Silvan

Pitoncle (3745) 2009-01-16 9:13

Bonjour Hercules,
C'est très bien composé avec une remarquable mise en valeur des plans successifs invitant le regard à explorer l'image.
A bientôt sur TE pour de nouvelles aventures.
Gérard

stelli (3009) 2009-01-16 9:35

Excellent composition and framing! There is also a picture beyond the arch of the bridge!!! Wonderful earth colors! Thank you for sharing! ΦΙΛΙΚΑ Στέλλα

TopGeo (38220) 2009-01-16 11:49

Γειά σου Ηρακλή!
Τα πέτρινα γεφύρια και η λετρεία σου ορατά! Μια θέση έξοχα επιλεγμένη να εντυπωσιάζει με την σύνθεση την δυναμική και την γοητεία της, που είναι τα νερά και τα ανάγλυφα των πετρών.
Καλή συλλογή
Γεώργιος

dip (21408) 2009-01-16 13:15

Geia sou Irakli,
panemorfo meros kai poli kali i katagrafi tou stin fotografia sou,
Xaireto,
Dimitris.

gneufeld (15890) 2009-01-16 18:15

Hi Hercules,
Nice perspective of this waterfall rich image. The thumbnail wasn't all that exciting, but the fullness of the shot because clear to me when I opened it up. Good details, nice colors, and lots of interest. Well done and TFS. Gerald

azaf1 (15931) 2009-01-16 23:27

Kalimera Irakli

Apithano kadrarisma mesa apo tin kampili tou toxou. Panemorfes leptomereies kai apithana xromata

Kalo s.k.
Argiris

lc4giala (2190) 2009-01-17 0:38

Καλημέρα Ηρακλή
πολύ όμορφη καταγραφή στο πέτρινο γεφύρι με απίστευτα καλή λεπτομέρεια που σε συνδυασμό με την αργή ταχύτητα κάνουν τα νερά να μοιάζουν με παγωμένους κρυστάλλους
καλό σ/κ
Γιώργος

ymrk (15099) 2009-01-17 1:29

Kalimera;
Very nice exposure time,and your technic with be beautiful photo.I'm admiring your outlook,idea and technic...
Have a nice weekend,dear my friend...

Yağmur

danos (110407) 2009-01-17 2:11

Ηρακλή καλημέρα,
πολύ καλή η τοποθέτηση της αψιδωτής γέφυρας ούτως ώστε να φαίνονται οι κρουνοί με το νερό να τρέχει άφθονο και ορμητικό.Το γήινο χρώμα είναι το επικρατέστερο, που κάνει Χειμωνιάτικο σκηνικό λίγο μελαγχολικό.

Καλό Σαββατοκύριακο,Δάνος

pasternak (15185) 2009-01-17 3:32

The pov/composition are really fantastic here, as we see all these small waterfalls under the arch of the bridge. On the other hand, I've a feeling that in terms of light, the shot looks a bit flat. But still, such a lovely view.

Cheers
A

labro33 (2807) 2009-01-17 3:49

Gia sou Irakli
Katapliktika giina chrwmata kai idea na gini to gefyri fysiko kadro gia tous mikrous kataraktes katalytikh.
Se cheretw,
Giwrgos

delkoo (68) 2009-01-17 11:44

hi hercules
Simple shot, but very well done! The colour and clarity is very good, allowing us to see everything so clearly.

All the elements of a good composition are also there ..

ta leme
didier

asajernigan (21427) 2009-01-18 5:53

Hercules,
This is a nice shot of this historic place. The bridge acts as a nice frame for the pools and fountains behind it. The long exposure allows for fine DOF and excellent sharpness under the muted lighting.
TFS,
Asa

amaryllis (37047) 2009-01-19 0:48

Bonjour Hercules
une photo superbe de ce pont avec ces trous en arrière plan et je suis allée voir l'explication, c'est incroyable, une note tres interessante ; cet endroit est fabuleux avec une histoire tres riche
ton cadrage en plus est excellent et nous permet de voir cette pierre, ces marches de pierre
c'est superbe
juliette

coco (30439) 2009-01-20 3:56

Kalispera Hercules.

Has sido más rápido que yo.
Y... y que ven mis ojos: un puente en tu galería.
No me lo puedo creer.

Bromas a parte, me gusta mucho la composición de la foto (y el lugar, claro). Y, por supuesto, el trípode era necesario para una foto como ésta.

Un saludo.

spyrosari (184) 2009-01-20 12:34