DIDYMA, MILETUS AND PRIENE TOUR - FULL DAY

(DRT - 110)

DIDYMA : Ancient Carian shrine absorbed by the Hellenic colonists at nearby Miletus. First major oracular complex with its immense Temple of Apollo destroyed by the Persians in the early fifth century B.C; rebuilding commenced under the patronage of Alexander the Great and continued during the Hellenistic Period, without completion, yielding the majestic structure (Didymaion) standing today... one of the most colossal in the ancient Mediterranean World.

MILETUS : Early Ionian city of incomparable intellectual, political, and economic activity; sacked twice by the Persians in the early fifth century B. C., rebuilt by mid-century on a still visible grid plan. The once great port which launched colonists in large numbers has long been silted - up but architectural remains - some Hellenistic or earlier but mainly Roman - still elicit Miletus' grand past. Noteworthy - Hellenistic era bouleuterion, dominant Roman theater with a 15,000 person capacity, the Baths of Faustina, superb İlyas Bey Mosque constructed c. 1404 A. D. incorporates structural elements from earlier buildings, demonstrating the cultural confluence so striking throughout Turkey.

PRIENE : Terraced into the slopes of a mountain commanding a stunning view of the Meander River. Largely ignored by the Romans, thus unusual in its unencumbered remains (fourth to second century B. C.) laid out on a grid plan. Noteworthy structures - a well preserved 5,000 seat theater / public meeting place, Temple of Athena endowed by Alexander the Great, fine bouleuterion, Egyptian sacral precinct probably for traders; extensively excavated houses have yielded rare information about domestic life in the city. (L)

B : Breakfast
L : Lunch
D : Dinner