The Temple of Apollo at Didyma (Didymaion) was one of the most grandiose and enigmatic temples of the ancient world. Located on the western coast of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), it served not only as a major religious center but also as the second most important oracle after Delphi. Its history, architecture, and sheer scale continue to amaze even today.
The cult of Apollo at Didyma dates back to ancient times. According to myth, a sacred spring once stood here, where the nymph Branchus met Apollo. The sun god fell in love with her and bestowed upon her descendants—the Branchidae—the gift of prophecy. Thus, the oracle was born, first mentioned in Homeric texts.
The earliest structures on this site date back to the 8th century BCE, but the sanctuary truly flourished in the 6th century BCE, when a monumental temple in the Ionic style was erected.
Destruction and Restoration of the Temple of Apollo at Didyma
In 494 BCE, following the suppression of the Ionian Revolt, the Persians under King Darius I destroyed the temple and carried off the famous statue of Apollo to Persia. The oracle declined, but in 331 BCE, Alexander the Great visited Didyma and ordered the sanctuary’s restoration.
Construction of the new temple began under the Seleucids in the 3rd century BCE, but the work dragged on for centuries and was never fully completed. Nevertheless, even in its unfinished state, the Didymaion remained an important religious center until the 4th century CE, when Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, and pagan temples fell into decline.
Architecture of the Temple of Apollo at Didyma
The Temple of Apollo at Didyma is a prime example of the Ionic order, characterized by its elegant columns and intricate decorations. Its dimensions are staggering:
• Length: Approximately 120 meters (one of the largest temples of antiquity, surpassing even the Parthenon).
• Width: 51 meters.
• Column height: 19.7 meters (taller than those of the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus).
• Number of columns: 122 (arranged in a double row around the perimeter).
Unique Features of the Temple of Apollo at Didyma
Open Inner Courtyard (Adyton). Unlike traditional Greek temples, the Didymaion had no roofed sanctuary. Instead, its center featured an open courtyard with a small shrine (naiskos) and a sacred spring where priests delivered prophecies.
"Labyrinth-Like" Entrance. Visitors had to pass through a long, tunnel-like corridor to reach the inner courtyard, creating a sense of sacred passage.
Unfinished State. The temple was never fully completed—many columns remained without fluting (vertical grooves), and some sections lacked final decorative touches.
Destruction and Present Condition. The Temple of Apollo at Didyma gradually declined after the prohibition of paganism under Emperor Theodosius I (late 4th century CE). During the Byzantine era, it was repurposed as a fortress before being partially destroyed by earthquakes.
What Can Be Seen Today?
Today, the ruins of the Temple of Apollo at Didyma rank among Turkey’s most impressive archaeological sites. Visitors can still see:
• Giant columns (some standing, others toppled).
• Foundations and walls adorned with carvings.
• Staircases and corridors leading to the inner courtyard.
• Inscriptions and reliefs depicting ancient rituals.
Near the Temple of Apollo stands Elyesa Mosque (Elyesa Camii), which, according to local research, may have been built atop an earlier Christian church.
After the decline of paganism in the 4th century CE, Didyma faded into obscurity. However, during the Byzantine period (5th–7th centuries CE), a Christian basilica likely stood here—as was common with repurposed ancient temples (e.g., the Parthenon’s conversion into a church). Following the Turkish conquest (11th–13th centuries CE), many Byzantine churches were converted into mosques. Elyesa Mosque was probably constructed in the 15th–16th centuries on the foundations of an earlier Christian structure.
The Temple of Apollo at Didyma is not merely ruins—it is a testament to the grandeur of ancient architecture and religious traditions. Even in its ruined state, it leaves a lasting impression, allowing visitors to imagine the oracle’s former glory.
