Time Chronicles - Stories Carved in Stone

In the sunny embrace of the Side Peninsula, Turkey right by the sea, once stood two magnificent temples. The eastern one was dedicated to the worship of Apollo, while the western one honored Artemis. These deities were considered the city's main gods, with Apollo representing the Sun and his twin sister Artemis embodying the Moon.

In Greek mythology, Apollo was depicted as a well-built young man with golden hair, always equipped with a silver bow and golden arrows. The patron of sciences and arts, roads, travelers, and sailors, the healer, guide, and muse protector, Apollo was also seen as a foreteller of the future and had the ability to cleanse those who committed murder.

The foundation of the temple dedicated to the god of light, beauty, and art, Apollo, is a rectangle with dimensions of 30 by 17 meters. The original temple had six rows of columns, with eleven columns in each row. The height of the columns reached 8.9 meters, and the parapets were crafted in Corinthian style. Unfortunately, only a few columns have survived to this day, but they have been restored and reinstalled.

Built in white marble during the 2nd century BCE, the Temple of Apollo continues to attract tourists from various parts of our planet with its grandeur and beauty. It is especially captivating for professional photographers seeking to capture the essence of marble columns. Seasoned travelers recommend visiting the Temple of Apollo at sunset, when the gentle rays of the sun play upon its ancient stones.

According to legend, the Temple of Apollo symbolizes the love between the great ancient Roman commander Antony and the Egyptian queen and beauty, Cleopatra.

Enojy