Didim on the Aegean Sea. Description and characterization.

According to mythology, it was here that the goddess Leto gave birth to the twins Apollo and Artemis. Thus, a huge part of the time it functioned solely as a ritual place. Tentatively, the construction of the temple of Apollo began in the VII century BC. The 100-year period after that is considered the era of Didymus' apotheosis. However, during the Persian invasion, the temple was completely burned down, and the sacral sculpture of Apollo was stolen. It was returned to its native land only in 500 BC.

After the victory of Alexander the Great over the Persians, the temple began to be restored, but its construction was never completed. All subsequent rulers equally tried to contribute to the restoration of the temple, however, none of them managed to bring the initial work to the final. Historical and cultural facts show that the temple of Apollo was completely repaired only during the reign of Julius Caesar. In the III century A.D. a citadel was erected around the town, which had to protect it from enemy invasions. In the XV century the town was destroyed by an earthquake.

What to see in Didyma?

Attractions The main attraction of the town is the Apollo Temple of Didymaeus, which is known as one of the largest ritual complexes of antiquity. Its size is second only to the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus. Near the temple you can see the fragments of the Sacred Road, which led from the temple to Miletus. On its two sides were sculptures of lions and well-known priests. Today these sculptures can be seen in the British Museum. The temple itself was also decorated with countless sculptures of Zeus, Leto, Artemis and Apollo, as well as the famous panel of Medusa the Gorgon. Now from the former splendor survived a fragment of the altar, three large Aegean columns, a staircase with which you can get to the main terrace, the courtyard. The Hellenistic cities of Miletus, Priest and Ephesus, near Didyma, are also worth a visit for a full acquaintance with the prehistory of the ancient Greek world.

Are there any beaches in Didyma?

Didim is famous for its endless sandy beaches, stretching for 55 kilometers along the Aegean coast. The most famous beach in the resort is Altinkum, which translates as “golden sand” and is one of the longest beaches in Turkey. Akbuk beach is no less popular, which is much smaller in size, but attracts resort visitors with its beautiful scenery of olive groves and coniferous forests surrounding it.

The shores of the town are home to a huge number of entertainment venues, including Didim's major disco, Medusa. There are also countless fishermen's eateries where you can try outlandish local specialties (squid in red wine, mussels with potatoes, baked octopus and others). The purity of the coastal waters creates perfect conditions for diving, photo hunting and deep-sea fishing.

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