Temple of Apollo and Athena in Side
Side is a touristic and cultural hub on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Among many major attractions in Side is the Temple of Apollo which is known as the symbol of Side. The people of Turkey and the foreigners have all revered the beauty, ancient charm and loveliness of this temple throughout the years.
Historical background:
The two main deities of Side in Roman era were Apollo and Athena. One of the two temples built in Side during the period known as the Roman Peace is the Temple of Apollo. Apollo is known as the god of music, poetry, sun, and light in Roman mythology. The other temple constructed in this period is the Athena Temple built in the honor of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and skill. These two temples lie close to each other on the tip of Side peninsula. Both temples were constructed in Corinthian order. The date of constructions dates back to 2nd century BC. The Apollo Temple originally had six columns on the shorter side and eleven columns on the longer side. Currently, five columns stand on the site of once one of the most glorious temples in Anatolia.
Location:
The exquisite Temple of Apollo stands proudly in Side Old Town on the tip of the peninsula near the beach. The beach nearby adds to its beauty and the temple looks even more beautiful with all the serenity of the water and calms around it. You can catch a glimpse of the stone structure from the harbor and admire it from there if you wish to do so. You can visit this magnificient place at any time of the day. The entrance to the attraction centre is free.
The renovations and changes:
Being as old as a building constructed in the 2nd century AD, the remains of the temple has slowly weakened over the centuries. The stone structure was falling apart and the government had to do something to keep this exquisite marvel intact, so they ran some renovation programs in 1980s. Five columns of the temple were erected in accordance with the original form at the end of this program.
Sunset at the Temple of Apollo:
Every place has a certain angle or time where it looks the most beautiful and all the people visiting it choose this specific time to be there. The Temple of Apollo goes to a whole other level of impressiveness and beauty at the time of sunset. The dwindling sun gloriously sinks behind the stone columns and makes them look so lovely that you can hardly avoid staring at it. Sitting there with your significant other and chasing the sun away can be one of the most romantic things that you do together.
In conclusion, Side Apollo Temple has a rich history and cultural significance, so everyone visiting Turkey should set aside some hours for this wonderful place in Side.
