Bringing the heritage of the societies that have lived on it for years, the city will take you on a journey into the past. Historical places of Didim await guests with their extraordinary legends and artefacts.
History of Didim
The oldest inscriptions on the city of Didim or with its ancient name “Didyma” belong to around 500 BC. The first settlement in the region is thought to date back to 8 thousand BC, to the Neolithic period.
It was used more as a sanctuary than a city, and many temples and monasteries were built in the area. The ruins of the oldest temples date back to the 7th and 8th centuries BC. The Temple of Apollo is the most impressive and well-known among these temples.
This temple area which was ruled by the Lycians, Persians, Seleucids, Attalids, Romans and Byzantines was captured by the Turks for a while but was recaptured by the Byzantines as a result of the 1st Crusades. Caria Region, which came under the rule of Menteşe Principality in 1280 and Aydınoğlu in 1300, passed into the hands of the Ottomans in 1413.
The region continued to exist as a small-populated Greek village until the Republican period, and after the population exchange in 1924, it became a home for Turks moving from the Balkans.
The most famous artefact of Didim; In our opinion, the Temple of Apollo is one of the most famous historical places in Didim that you should visit.
Historical Places of Didim calls people’s attention but also to its beautiful nature. We recommend you to enjoy the sea by exploring the swimming spots such as Altinkum Beach, Sapli Ada, Akbuk Beach, Cennet Bay, Didim Manastir Bay. Consider taking a boat tour; Swim in the turquoise-coloured paradise coves of Akbuk where no one can reach by drive or walk. If you are a camping master and you have a motorhome, it would be useful to know that there are plenty of places for it. If you are interested in ancient cities, plan a short visit to Milas and Soke where it is close to Didim.
1. Miletus Ancient City
The ancient city of Miletus has located 22 km from the Aydın city centre and is more commonly known as “Miletos”. The Miletus City was the centre of art, science and philosophy in the Ancient Greek period. The city’s golden age was in the 6th and 7th centuries BC. It was invaded by the Persians in the 5th century BC. The city was revived after the Roman period. By the 13th century, the region came under the domination of Turks by the Principalities and the Ottomans.
Why should I go to the Miletus Ancient City?
The city, where important historical figures such as Thales, Archelaos and Dionysios once lived, has structures that have survived to the present day. The most important of these structures; Ancient theatre with a capacity of 15,000 people that was built in the 1st century AD. The Miletus Museum is another must-visited place for archaeology enthusiasts and those who want to learn more about the history of the region.
2. Temple of Apollo
The Temple of Apollo is inside the Didyma Ancient City in Altinkum. It is the third-largest temple built for Apollo who is the god of music, art and the sun. The temple was built in honour of Alexander the Great who was victorious against the Persians. It is bearing traces of Hellenistic architecture.
The temple functioned as an important oracle centre in the past. People were willing to take a long journey and pay large sums of money to learn the prophecies. The temple’s construction is thought to have ended in the middle of the 6th century BC. It was first excavated by British archaeologists in 1858. The ruins were pointed to the existence of a gigantic temple that was made of 124 columns in two rows.
Why should I go to the Temple of Apollo?
It has the Medusa relief which has become the symbol of Didim. Medusa is one of the three siblings living underground and she has venomous snakes in her hair. She is the only mortal among the siblings known as Gorgons. For this reason, it is known as the only Gorgon who has its relief made. If you haven’t seen this majestic temple, you should explore it.
3. Priene Ancient City
Priene city was built by the Ionians in the 7th century BC. The city was surrounded by walls for defence against attacks. The ruins of the city walls have survived to the present day.
The city is located 10 km south of the Menderes River. The walls were built with grid-shaped architecture in the 4th century BC. Priene streets reach 7 meters wide and it was built far ahead of its time in urbanism. Like the Miletus Ancient City, the Priene is a city famous for its sages. The city is thought to have been abandoned in the 13th century.
4. Didyma Ancient City
Didyma Ancient City which gave its name to Didim was one of the most important cities of the Ionian period. The city gained a religious identity over time. The temple of Apollo is thought to have been built in honour of Alexander the Great’s victory over the Persians.
The holy road is decorated with statues, which must be crossed to reach the city. The holy road is an element of the city’s religious identity. The city which is thought to have been built in the middle of the 6th century BC is located within the borders of Yenihisar village, about 5 km from Didim.
In addition to these, you can visit the Miletus Museum where it is located in the Ancient City of Miletus, and the Faustina Bath which was built by the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius for his wife Faustina the Younger.
There are many ancient cities and ruins around Didim. If you have time, you can plan a trip to the Ephesus in Selcuk and visit the House of Virgin Mary.
