Temples in Turkey

The Apollon Temple of Side is a remarkable treasure of Turkey. Also known as the Symbol of Side, the temple was built in dedication to Apollo- the Greek God of sun, light, dance, music, archery, truth and healing. Sunsets are a breathtaking view at the temple, and it is also situated near the beach, which adds to the dreamy scenery.

One of the most important Roman period ruins in Ankara, the Monumentum Ancyranum or the Temple of Augustus and Rome, is home to the “Deeds of the Divine Augustus” (Res Gestae Divi Augusti), the autobiography of the first Roman Emperor. Unfortunately, the temple can be viewed from the outside as it is in danger of collapse due to several climatic factors, including air pollution and earthquakes, and is not accessible to visitors for sightseeing.

The famous temple of Artemis, also known as the Artemisium, is one of the seven wonders and the largest temple of the ancient world. It is a few minutes from Kusadasi and is located on a hilltop within the Hellenistic city of Ephesus, modern-day Turkey. All that remains of the majestic temple is a column and a few scattered blocks. Several statues of the goddess and amazon warriors were in the temple, some of which are displayed in the Ephesus Archaeological museum.

This temple dedicated to the Emperor Hadrian is considered one of the best preserved and most beautiful structures on Curetes Street. It was constructed in the beginning of the 2nd century AD by P. Quintilius to celebrate Hadrian visiting the city from Athens. Emperor Hadrian was considered one of the Five of Good Emperors. This term is used for the Roman emperors Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius.

Translating to “Potbelly Hill”, Gobekli Tepe is a must-visit place for you if you are fond of architecture and history. Situated around 12 kilometers from Urfa city, this archaeological site is located in the Southeast Anatolia region of the country. The place was discovered by German archaeologist Klaus Schmidt, who believes that the site possesses the ruins of the world’s first temple! Even the ruins present here date back to nearly 11,000 years, around 5,000 years older than Stonehenge! With such an interesting site present in Turkey, you must visit the place during your trip.