Didyma - Temple of Apollo

🏛 Didyma – The Sacred Oracle of Apollo

📍 Location: Didim, Turkey
🔮 Known For: Temple of Apollo, ancient oracles & sacred way

🗺️ Highlights of Didyma

1️⃣ The Temple of Apollo 🏛️
One of the largest temples in the ancient Greek world.
Built in 334 BC after Alexander the Great’s victory over Persia.
Twin to the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, yet never fully completed.
Features massive 60+ marble columns, some reaching 20 meters high.
Famous oracles were given at this temple, rivaling Delphi in Greece.

2️⃣ The Oracle of Apollo 🔮
Didyma was a major religious center of prophecy.
Priests would enter the temple’s sacred chamber and deliver oracles.
The oracles of Apollo influenced the decisions of emperors & generals.
The ancient “Sacred Way” connected Didyma to Miletus (~15 km).

3️⃣ Medusa Head 🐍
A massive Medusa head remains as part of the temple’s friezes.
Symbolized protection against evil in ancient Greek beliefs.
One of the most iconic & photographed pieces of Didyma.

4️⃣ The Sacred Way 🚶‍♂️
A 15-km-long ceremonial road linked Didyma with Miletus.
Lined with statues of lions, sphinxes & priests (now in the British Museum).
Pilgrims walked barefoot to seek Apollo’s divine guidance.

🚗 How to Visit Didyma?
🚗 By Car:

15 km from Miletus (~20-minute drive).
20 km from Priene (~30-minute drive).
160 km from Izmir (~2-hour drive).
🚍 By Public Transport:

Dolmuş (minibus) from Didim or Soke.

📌 Why Visit Didyma?
✅ Massive Temple Ruins – One of the best-preserved Hellenistic sanctuaries.
✅ Less Crowded – Unlike Ephesus, Didyma offers a calm, mystical experience.
✅ Sacred & Historical Significance – Once one of the most influential oracle sites in the world.

🔹 Pair your visit with:

Miletus 🏛️ (visit the Grand Theatre & Bouleuterion).
Priene 🏛️ (see the Temple of Athena & ancient Greek ruins).
Lake Bafa 🌊 (a hidden natural beauty for relaxation).