Temple of Apollo in Side: Historical background The Temple of Apollo is a visiting card of Side, whose columns, illuminated at sunset, have become a symbol of the city. This is not a separate building, but part of a sacred site dedicated to the most revered gods of the city. --- 1. General meaning and location · Deity: The temple was dedicated to Apollo, the god of the sun, light, art, music, and prophecy. In Roman mythology, he was also worshipped by the same name. · The neighboring temple: Next to it are the ruins of another temple dedicated to Artemis, the goddess of hunting, the moon and nature, the twin sister of Apollo. Together they formed a single religious complex on the seashore. · Location: The temples are located on the Side Peninsula, near the old port, on the so-called "Marble Square". Their location near the water was not accidental and was probably related to navigation — Apollo was considered the patron saint of navigators. 2. Historical context and dating · Construction period: Both temples were built in the 2nd century AD, during the time of Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius (circa 150 AD). It was the period of Side's greatest prosperity and wealth. · Architectural style: The temples were built in the Corinthian order, which is characterized by ornate capitals in the form of acanthus leaves. It was the most elegant and popular style in Roman architecture of the Empire period. 3. Architecture and description The Temple of Apollo, like its neighbor, was built of beautiful white marble, which was imported from other regions of the empire. · Peripteral temple: The Temple of Apollo was a peripter, that is, its central room (cella) was surrounded on all sides by a colonnade. · Dimensions and layout: The Temple of Apollo was slightly smaller than the temple of Artemis. It had 6 columns on the short side and 11 on the long side. There were 34 columns in total. · Decorations: The capitals of the columns and the entablature (upper part) were richly decorated with exquisite carvings. It is assumed that the temple was painted, and its pediments and metopes could contain sculptural reliefs on mythological themes. 4. Cultural and religious significance Main cult: Apollo and Artemis were among the main patron deities of Side. Their cult came here since the Greek colonists founded the city in the 7th century BC. · The center of religious life: Temples were the venue for sacrifices, religious ceremonies, and celebrations. Their impressive view of the seashore should have been awe-inspiring to everyone who came to the city by sea. · Connection with Cleopatra: The temple of Apollo is associated with a beautiful, though historically unconfirmed, legend about the romance between Mark Antony and Cleopatra. According to her, it was here, under the columns of the temple of Apollo, that the famous couple made dates. This romantic story has become one of the factors of the temple's popularity among tourists. 5. Further history and destruction · Early Christian period: With the establishment of Christianity in the 5th-6th centuries as the state religion of the Byzantine Empire, pagan temples were closed. · Destruction: Temples were seriously damaged by strong earthquakes, which are not uncommon in this region. However, the main reason for their destruction was that they became a source of building material. Marble columns and blocks were taken apart for the construction of churches, houses, and especially for lime kilns. · Byzantine Citadel: A Byzantine basilica was built on the site of temples in the early Middle Ages, for which stones from ancient buildings were actively used. 6. Current condition and restoration · Only five restored columns with an entablature have survived from the majestic Temple of Apollo. · These columns were re-erected during restoration work in the 1980s. They give an idea of the original scale and beauty of the structure. · The ruins of the temple of Artemis are even worse preserved — only fragments of the foundation and several drums of columns remain. · Today, this place is a popular tourist attraction, especially at sunset, when the lights turn on, creating a magical and romantic atmosphere. --- Bottom line: The Temple of Apollo in Side is not just a picturesque ruin. It is a monument to the great era when Side was a rich and influential city. It symbolizes the faith of the ancient inhabitants in their gods, their skill in architecture and the high culture, the traces of which continue to delight us two thousand years later.

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Apollon Temple

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