AYDIN Didim (Didyma)

Didim (Didyma) which is located within the boundaries of the village of Yeni Hisar in the Söke District of the province Aydın is famous for its Apollon Temple . The first excavations in Didim were made by the English under the direction of Newton in 1858. The excavations which started in 1905 under the direction of Th. Weigand were continued on a systematic basis until the year 1937. During this time a great protion of the temple was revealed. At present , the excavations and researchs are still carried on by german experts. Didim is known as the residence of a seer related to Miletus. It is understood from the latest excavations that Didim was not only the residence of a seer but a rather dense settling at the same time. It is suggested that the construction of the archaic temple started mid 6th century BC and completed at the end of the same century. The construction of the hellenistic temple started after Alexander the Great triumphed over the Persian. However it is understood from the remnants that the construction of the Hellenistic Temple was not finished. Didim today is one of the most important touristic places of Turkey.