Didyma Travel Guide

 mtncorg Says:  Located within a smaller temple within the large, the sacred spring was what ancient supplicants were after. For the proper gift riddles to one’s fate could be received. Well-known pilgrims included the Diadochoi generals Lysimachus and Seleucus I Nicator, as well as Roman... 

 mtncorg Says:  The inner sanctum was reserved for the priests and priestesses involved with the temple – adyton means ‘do not enter’. From the eastern porch priests would enter the adyton by one of two long tunnels. Inside, the adyton was located at a lower level and there was an inner... 

 mtncorg Says:  The faithful would come up into the temple from the east climbing some 14 steps. Here amongst a grove of some 12 columns, the priests would meet those seeking answers from the sibyl within. A well in front of the steps was used to ceremonially was parts of the body before... 

 mtncorg Says:  Originally there were 122 ionic columns surrounding the temple of which only three remain standing today. The columns date to the 2nd Century BC and are six feet in diameter at the base rising upwards some 60 feet high. Inscriptions show that three different contractors were... 

 mtncorg Says:  Didyma refers to twins in Greek and here it refers to the twin god/goddess Apollo and Artemis. Recent excavations have uncovered a sanctuary dedicated to Artemis, but the Temple of Apollo – the Didymaion – took center stage. An original Archaic temple was enlarged upon in... 

 mtncorg Says:  Miletus was the gateway for pilgrims on their way to the nearby oracle at the Temple of Apollo in Didyma. This oracle rivaled the oracle in Delphi in ancient world notoriety. The temple dates to at least the 8th Century BC and was in the charge of a priestly caste known as... 

 cbeaujean Says:  in the middle of cotton fields.....nowadays!very well preserved!rather easy climbing on seats rows:on the top you enjoy a magnificent view on the whole site and surroundings. 

 cbeaujean Says:  once upon a time...a harbour!...but the sea is gone....and the inhabitants too!from 7 cent.BC,a city of scientists:thales (geometry),hecatee (geography),anaximene (philosophy).....at the bottom,behind cotton fields,you can see the huge amphitheater.... 

 cbeaujean Says:  built in 3rd century BC,a colossal setting: two ranks of 108 columns 20m height....but never finished!(you can understand rather easily why!) 

 sandysmith Says:  The temple at Didyma, famous for its oracle, was dedicated to Apollo and was the richest and biggest of the Ionian temples on Anatolian soil.The temple is 60m wide,120m long and 24m. high and consists of 122 Ionic columns. The pronaos - the forecourt - had 12 columns... 

 sandysmith Says:  The reputation of the oracle was well known throughout Greece and surpassed that of the one at Delphi. 

 SirRichard Says:  You can start the visit by the theatre, then go to the western agora, the Ionic Stoa and continue by the eastern agora. 

 SirRichard Says:  Milet's main highlights are the Theatre and the Ionic Stoa, the only remains of a huge atrium with a few columns still standing.It was a very important greek city in Asia Minor, and held many cultural schools that influenced all the Mediterrnean area, as the one of Thales of... 

 SirRichard Says:  This is the first monument you see when arriving, as it is very close to the main road. When Milet was a port it was by the water, but now the shoreline has moved some kilometres away... 

 SirRichard Says:  Bouleterion was a kind of ancient senate. You can see the steps where the citizens used to seat to discuss about city matters. 

 cbeaujean Says:  with its shops ,connected harbour and agora (commercial center):through this monumental avenue ,distinguished guests made their entrance in the city. 

 SirRichard Says:  The first temple (550 BC) was a bit samller (90x39m) than the one you can see now (110x51m). It housed an statue of Apollo that the persians stoled and took to Ecbatana after destroying the temple.Alexandre the Great recovered the statue and rebuilt the temple thet you...