Remedies sought for a drowning friend - revisiting the Temple of Apollo in Didyma

Submitted by Iza on Fri, 02/14/2020 - 17:18

Last week I received a most welcome correspondence from the hydrologist responsible for redirecting the water falling into the southeast section of the Temple of Apollo sanctuary in ancient Didyma, Turkey. This pleased me immensely as there has been a deafening silence from this quarter for a number of months. Though after I sent a number of photographs as evidence for the waters now mingling within the archaeological remains of the Christian Basilica which once stood within the adyton (inner courtyard), Professor Helmut Brückner responded with admirable haste.

Text and photos by Glenn Maffia

The dry well considered for temporary storage of flood water, Apollo Temple in Didyma

Seeking the Stoa - news from the Apollo Temple in Didyma

Submitted by Admin on Mon, 08/05/2019 - 09:18

It was quite perplexing to observe that the excavation trench reaching down into the depths of the Sacred Spring was in a condition of being reinterred when I visited the site on Sunday. Perplexing, for as to my knowledge, the archaeologists had burrowed no further than 1 to 1.5 metres beneath the surface. That may have been enough to reveal the broken and almost demolished stairwells, but if it were their aim to locate the 'sweet waters' of the spring (and I do not know if that was their intent) it is well recorded by none less than Klaus Tuchelt, former Director of Excavations here in Didyma, that the spring resides at least 2.5 metres beneath the surface of the Archaic floor upon which we walk today. See Tuchelt K., 'Fragen zum Naiskos von Didyma,' Archäologister Anzeiger, 1986. I have also learnt that this depth is noted in the diaries of Knackfuß and Hörmann.

The Temple of Apollo in Didim, July 2019

Investigating the gods - new excavation season in the Temple of Apollo in Didyma

Submitted by Admin on Sun, 07/28/2019 - 13:40

Another archaeological season is now in full flow, much as the inundation of the southeast section of the Apollo Temple is also. It appears that the wonderfully articulate and knowledgeable team assembled this year have no doubt noticed that the aquatic theme is rather of a pressing concern. For their focus of excavation has been correctly identified as the saturation of the stadium section, threatening the existence of the archaic temenos (enclosing wall of a sacred area) and the exciting exploration of an ancient sacred spring within the adyton (inner sanctum).

An ancient stroll around the Temple

Submitted by Admin on Sat, 06/08/2019 - 16:34

When visiting Didyma’s Temple of Apollo and its equally fascinating surroundings it is quite easy to get lost in the grandeur of the massive structure as a whole, while missing the delicate embellishments which give this place its unique architectural sound.

The Temple of Apollo at Didyma by night

Submitted by Admin on Wed, 05/15/2019 - 14:21

I was recently fortunate enough to be invited into the Temple precinct by one of the archaeologists after the area was closed to the public. Deep into the reaches of night the entire ambience was transformed into a hauntingly beautiful spectacle. No sound from the lively nightlife of the surrounding cafés penetrated into precinct and my imagination took flight.