DIDYMA

This was once the centre of a Miletian sacred precinct, 19 km outside the city gates and connected to it by a processional road lined with statues, lions and sphinxes. Temple of Apollo was one of the most sacred places of antiquity. Although this great oracle temple was looted and burned several times, the sanctuary still impresses visitors with its elegant beauty. First work on this magnificent temple started 560 BC, and this early temple was destroyed by the Persians in 494 BC. The Miletians decided to rebuild their temple in 300 BC and construction work continued till 2nd century AD.