Didyma

The original sanctuary was destroyed in 494 B.C. by Darius' Persians. After Alexander the Great's victory over the Persians the temple known as the Didymaion was rebuilt on an even grander scale. It was begun about 300 B.C. by Paionios of Ephesus and Daphnes of Miletus after the completion of the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus. The new temple was planned on such a grandiose scale, however, that in spite of financial support from the Roman emperors and other benefactors, it was never finished. According to Strabo, the building was never roofed because of its size.

A number of modifications were later undertaken but it was destroyed by a severe earthquake in 1446. Excavations have been carried out since the middle of the 19th century by British, French and German archeologists and in 1985 a sacred area (Temenos) was uncovered.