Didim City

Didim was originally a pre-Greek religious group that grew up around a sacred wood and holy spring. This natural spring was the place where Leto conceived and gave birth to the twins Artemis and Apollo who were fathered by Zeus. The temple of Apollo was built in Didim and since Apollo spells as didymoi in Greek, the source of Didim’s name seems to be very clear.The earliest temples almost date back to the 7th and 8th century B.C., but its remains lie beneath the later edifices. This is the site of the most significant oracle location in Asia Minor and its announcements have been made to Croesus, Alexander the Great and other great kings. The Persian King Xerxes ruined the temple in 480 B.C. and ransacked many of the statues and also emptied the great treasury. Alexander the Great decided to reconstruct the temple after his victory over the Persians. However, the temple never was completed due to its enormous size. Further, the arrival of Christianity saw to the abolishment of all pagan rites and hindered the completion of the temple.

Didim News

Approximately 6 weeks ago, Englishman Charlie Frost stood with his New Zealand friend Mark Varvazovsky, outside his home in Sahte Cennet, and stated that he wanted to swim across the bay sometime in the future. Mark being a keen outdoors person and competitive Multi-sporter back in NZ, suggested that he join Charlie, and that if "we're going to do this, then let's use it to raise money for a local charity". So the idea was put to the local Elementary School in Sahte Cennet, and a date set.On Saturday 21st of October, at 8am, two loan wetsuit clad figures entered the waters of Akbuk Bay at the Akbuk Fish Farms for the inaugural 4km swim across Akbuk Bay to Sahte Cennet. Twenty five years earlier, Charlie had swam a long distance badge in a pool, but for Mark this was a first. "Kayaking is my strength, I only started swimming back in June this year, when the kayak John Jennings and I built went to it's new owner".Supported by John Jennings from Akbuk Estate, piloting the rescue boat, along with Marks' wife Gretchen & Tracy Carr of Turkish Property Zone, both swimmers struck out in flat but overcast conditions. Charlie and Mark had earlier agreed that this was something they would achieve together, and not a race across the bay, that would be left to sometime in the future. Slow but steady progress was made across the bay, and 2h 37min later, a shivering and slightly blue Mark, and Charlie arrived on the Sahte Cennet side to the cheers of approximately 50 supporters from the school, localcommunity, and Expats.Both men stated that they were surprised how much interest and support their challenge had generated. "Next year we hope to have other people join us in the swim, and make it an annual event for this community". From the efforts of the children attending the school, to collect sponsors for the swim, Over 3,000YTL was raised. This money will be used to benefit all the children attending Akbudak Elementary School.Both Crazy Kiwi Mark and Insane Ingiliz Charlie would like to thank everyone who donated to this cause, and a special thanks to John, for looking after us out there.Footnote: On Tuesday 24th October, Mark re-swam the Bay in a time of 1:25`:20".Tracy & Dennis Carr swam support legs to accompany Mark, while John again supplied the rescue boat. Sutka just wanted to fish.

Temple of Apollo

The city's ruins include a harbor monument adorned with carvings of marine life on one side and a half-man, half-fish triton on the other. Also uncovered are the remarkably well-preserved Baths of Faustina, erected by the wife of Marcus Aurelius, which include a headless but otherwise exquisite reclining statue. Ancient Didyma was not a city, but rather the home of the God Apollo. Only priests were allowed entry here to consult the oracle in the great Temple of Apollo. The site served as a divine sanctuary at least as early as the 10th Century B.C Priestesses of Delphic origin fasted here for three days, then inhaled sulfur fumes until they entered a supposed state of divine inspiration. Their ramblings were then translated by priests into prophecies. The site continued to issue predictions via pries throughout several centuries. In 300 B.C construction began on the Temple of Apollo and continued for the next 500 years. Of the temple's original 120 columns 103 have been set up again. Some remain unadorned, evidence that the temple was never completed. Didyma and other oracles eventually fell victim to Christianity's scorn for pagan prophecies. The final assault at Didyma was the erection of a Christian chapel in the holiest part of the Temple of Apollo.
Sacred Road
The temple has an elaborate bust of Medusa.A sacred road, used for religious processions, leading to the temple was once lined with statues, but Sir Charles Newton sent these to the British Museum in 1858.

Sacred Road

The temple has an elaborate bust of Medusa.

A sacred road, used for religious processions, leading to the temple was once lined with statues, but Sir Charles Newton sent these to the British Museum in 1858.

HOW TO GET THERE ?

Two popular routes reach to Didim from Europe.
Northern Route: Belgium, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey. From Bulgarian border, Didim is about 600 km south.
Southern Route: Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy with ferry to Turkey-Cesme. Cesme is about 150 km north of Didim. Road to Didim from Cesme is in very good condition. You may also take the coastal road with a spectacular scenery, as the second alternative.
Inter-City: Didim has bus connections with all major cities and touristic resorts of the country. They generally offer the choice of a day or night trip and a free transfer from city center to the bus station. A very comfortable and relaxing way to discover the different landscapes of the country while heading for your next stop.