Didyma — Attraction in Didim

Didyma history Hidden among rolling hills only a few miles from the scenic coast of southeastern Turkey, the ancient site of Didyma is famous from legendary times. Here was a natural spring where the beautiful Leto is supposed to have spent an hour of love with Zeus, then giving birth to the twins Artemis and Apollo (didymoi in Greek). The most important oracle site in Asia Minor, its pronouncements to Croesus, Alexander the Great and other great kings altered the course of human history.

Didyma was originally a pre-Greek cult sanctuary centered around a sacred grove and holy spring. The remains of the earliest temples, which lie within and beneath the later buildings, have been dated to the 8th and 7th centuries BC. These consist of a walled enclosure measuring approximately 24 x 10 m, an open-air sanctuary, a portico 16 m in length, a sacred well and a votive altar. By the 7th century BC, the Ionian Greeks had adopted the site, dedicated it to the worship of Apollo, and the fame of its oracle had spread across the eastern Mediterranean and into Egypt. The earliest temple of Apollo at the site was an unroofed Ionic building enclosing the sacred spring, laurel trees and a small inner temple. These structures were completed about 560-550 BC when the site was in charge of a family of priests known as the Branchids, the descendants of Bronchos, a youth beloved of Apollo. The cult statue in the Didyma temple dated from 500 BC, was made of bronze and depicted Apollo Philesios seizing a deer. The temple was located approximately 10 kilometers south of the city of Miletus, inland from the small port of Panormos. In the Archaic period, when the first temple of Apollo was constructed, a Sacred Way, lined with sculptures, sarcophagi and statues of lions and sphinxes, led from Panormos to the sanctuary. Pilgrims arriving by sea would disembark at the port of Panormos and walk the Sacred Way to the oracle of Apollo.

The Persians destroyed a second and larger temple at the same site in 494 BC. while it was still under construction. Little is known about activities at Didyma during the 5th and 4th centuries BC. and it seems to have suffered a decline. After his capture of the city of Miletus in 334 BC, Alexander the Great placed the administration of the oracle in the hands of the city. The sanctuary of the oracle was revived in 331 BC when the sacred spring was rediscovered on the occasion of a visit from Alexander (during which time the oracle proclaimed him “the son of Zeus”). In the following decades Seleucus embellished the sanctuary and commissioned the new Hellenistic Temple of Apollo (about 300 BC the cult statue of Apollo that had been stolen by the Persians was returned to Didyma). The sanctuary grew in fame, attracting thousands of pilgrims from throughout the Hellenistic world, and work on the temple continued for the next 200 years. This temple, measuring 51 by 110 meters, was the third largest structure of the Greek world, being exceeded in size only by those at Ephesus and Samos. Although the Hellenistic Didymaion was of greater dimensions than the archaic temple, it was merely an adaptation of the original plan. The massive temple had a total of 124 columns (many of which were never erected) and was embellished with the most wonderful sculptures of Greek artistry. One particularly enormous column weighs 70 tons.

In 278 BC the sanctuary suffered under the raids of Gauls, but construction work on the temple was resumed. In 70 BC pirates sacked the sanctuary and work on the temple was...

Didyma, the ancient city nestled along Turkiye's scenic Aegean coast, is a breathtaking site that every history lover should experience. This incredible destination, famed for its ancient Temple of Apollo, is not only a wonder of Turkish heritage but also a treasure of global importance.

Walking through the ruins feels like stepping back in time. The Temple of Apollo, one of the most impressive remnants of ancient Greek architecture, is awe-inspiring with its towering columns and intricate carvings that have withstood millennia. As you gaze up at these colossal pillars, you can almost feel the presence of ancient civilizations who once gathered here, seeking oracles and marveling at the grandeur of their surroundings.

The energy of Didyma is palpable and humbling. It's a place where myth and history converge, as Didyma was one of the most significant centers of prophecy in the ancient world, second only to Delphi. This adds an almost mystical quality to the experience, making you feel connected to the world’s ancient cultures.

The site is also an archaeologist’s dream. Ongoing research and preservation efforts mean that every visit offers something new to discover, whether it’s a hidden relief, a new artifact, or deeper insights into ancient rituals. The importance of Didyma reaches beyond Turkiye, reminding us of the global interconnectedness of ancient civilizations and their shared legacies.

The city's proximity to other ancient landmarks makes it easy to include in a cultural tour, and the peaceful surroundings allow visitors to explore at a relaxed pace. If you're planning a trip to Turkiye, Didyma is a must-visit, not just for its beauty but for its profound historical significance. A true gem of...

As a logical continuation, after Priene and Miletos, one goes to Didyma, a famous temple for its oracles. This temple dedicated to Apollo was the richest and biggest of the Ionian temples on Anatolian soil. It was to cover such a vast area, that its construction lasted more than 150-200 years and yet it was planned to be without ceiling.

Again after the "Ionian Rebellion", it was to Alexander the Great to order its restoration. On the ruins of the VIth century BC temple, a church was built during the Byzantine period. Though the ruins one can see today are of pre-Christian age. The temple was famous all over the Greek world for its oracles so that it even surpassed the reputation of Delphi.

The reason for which the harbor of Panamos near Didyma became very busy and was visited by lots of commanders, ordinary and respected people, is that they wanted to learn their future from the priests of the temple. The oracle ceremonies were in two steps: the Pithy would first comment the glitters on the waters of a well and then the priests would translate these into literal and impressive words.

After the Lade War, many of the priests were to escape from the temple or killed by Alexander the Great and the temple of Didyma remained an unimportant temple till...