Didyma Ancient City Travel Guide: Explore the Temple of Apollo in Turkey
Didyma Ancient City, one of the most prominent routes of the Aegean with its historical and mythological richness, stands out as one of the most impressive religious centres of antiquity with its gigantic Temple of Apollo. Today, this sacred area, located within the borders of the Didim district of Aydın, offers its visitors a gateway to the past with its fascinating columns, prophecy tradition and mystical atmosphere. For those who want to feel the spirit of ancient Ionia, trace the mythological stories and see the magnificent architecture up close, Didyma is one of the must-visit stops. In this comprehensive travel guide, you can find all the details about Didyma.
Didyma's Historical and Mythological Importance
Didyma was one of the most sacred sites of ancient Ionia. Its name means 'twin' in Greek, possibly referring to the twinning of the gods Apollo and Artemis. Didyma was not a city, but only a sanctuary and the buildings where the priests who worked there lived. In this respect, it has a different structure from other ancient cities.
It is thought that it started to be used as a sacred area from the 8th century BC. However, it experienced its most glorious period in the 6th century BC under the auspices of Miletus. The first Temple of Apollo built during this period was destroyed during the Persian invasion; it was revived with the arrival of Alexander the Great in Anatolia and a second large temple was built during the Hellenistic period.
The Temple of Apollo was one of the divination centres of the ancient world. Along with Delphi, it is considered one of the most consulted divination centres. In Didyma, prophecies were given by priestesses in a trance at a sacred spring of water. These prophecies were decisive not only for individuals but also for state decisions.
Temple of Apollo: A Colossal Architectural Monument
Located in the heart of Didyma, the Temple of Apollo is one of the most impressive structures of the ancient world, even though it remains unfinished. The dimensions of the temple are mesmerising: 109 meters long and 51 meters wide. It is surrounded by about 120 columns, over 20 meters tall. The construction of this colossal structure took centuries but was never completed.
The double-headed Medusa relief at the entrance is quite remarkable. In order to reach the inner courtyard of the temple, you have to descend the stairs, which shows how differently the building was designed. Inside is the adyton (sacred room) where divinations were made. Also in this section are the remains of the sacred water source and the sacred laurel tree.
The Priests of Didyma and the Prophecy Tradition
In Didyma, prophecies were believed to represent the will of Apollo. The oracles were administered by a special class of priests called 'Branchids'. These priests played a major role in the interpretation of the oracles and in the administration of the temple. During the divination, the priestesses would reach divine ecstasy at the water source, and then their words would be revealed to the public by the priests.
This divination system in Didyma was so important that cities in antiquity sent envoys here, and even war decisions, agricultural investments or religious celebrations were planned according to Apollo's approval.
How to get to Didyma?
Didyma Ancient City is within the borders of the Didim district of Aydın. The temple is only 2-3 km from the centre and transportation is quite comfortable.
For those arriving by private car, the Aydın-Söke-Didim route is the most convenient. It takes about 2.5 hours from Izmir and 1.5 hours from Bodrum.
Those who want to come by bus can take a minibus or taxi to the temple after reaching the Didim bus station.
For those who want to explore on foot, there is also a quiet route where you can feel the historical texture along the road from the centre of Didim to the temple.
Other Places to Visit Around Didyma
Don't just stop at the Temple of Apollo on your trip to Didyma. You can explore many different points full of historical and natural beauties in the immediate vicinity:
Miletus Ancient City: When Didyma was a religious centre, Miletus held the political power of this centre. The ancient theatre and the Faustina Baths are quite impressive. It is about 20 km from Didyma.
Priene Ancient City: Priene, also one of the Ionian cities, draws attention with its regular city planning and the Athena Temple.
Bafa Lake and Herakleia: This region, which bears traces of the ancient period, is fascinating with its lakeside view, rock tombs and monastery ruins.
Altinkum Beach: It is the most famous beach of the region for those who want to swim from Didyma. It offers a pleasant break with its clean sea and soft sands.
Best Time to Visit
Since Didyma is located in the Aegean Region, it can be quite hot in the summer months. April-June and September-October are the best periods for a cooler trip away from the crowds. If you are going in the summer months, early morning hours should be preferred. In this way, you can be protected from the effects of the sun and have the chance to visit the region before crowded tourist groups.
Visit Information
Didyma Ancient City is open to visitors most of the year. The Museum Card is valid and an entrance fee is charged. During the summer period, it can usually be visited between 08.00-20.00. During the winter period, the hours may be a little more limited; it will be useful to check the current hours before going.
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