Didyma - Temple of Apollo

The Temple of Apollo in Didyma consisted of a forecourt, a small antechamber and the cella or main chamber. The 11m/36ft walls of the pronaos (forecourt) are still standing but the original fine coffered ceiling has been lost. The cella could be reached either through two small doors and vaulted passages directly into the cella or through the main doorway into the small antechamber or the chresmographeion where the priests revealed and interpreted the pronouncements of the oracle. The ceiling here was borne by two Ionic columns, making 122 columns in all.

From the antechamber, three doors opened on to a flight of steps 16m/52ft wide leading into the cella 5.50m/18ft lower down. The sacred spring, at which the priestess put the questions to the oracle, and a sacred olive tree stood at the far end of the cella and the cult statue of Apollo was located by the end wall in a special room. Surrounding the temple lay gymnasia, baths and hostels for pilgrims. Further excavations are necessary to determine the precise dimensions.