The iconic
picture of Side is the white marble remains of the Temple of Apollo,
close to the harbor (see: Side
didn’t put up any resistance to Alexander). For many years, it was
thought to be the only temple in the area.
The city had two
major gods, Apollo and Athena, but only the Temple of Apollo
was known so far. It was assumed that the Temple of Athena had to stand nearby, and recent
excavations, some of which had to be carried out on private properties, have
finally revealed its layout next to the Temple of Apollo.
Remains of the
original columns surfaced and were used in the restoration of the sanctuary.
The project was successfully completed in November 2024.
The temples of
Apollo and Athena are again visible, standing side by side, a rare occurrence in
the ancient world, although not unique. At Side, Apollo was closely associated
with the city’s name, while Athena was considered to be the chief goddess
assuring the prosperity of trade in the harbor.
The restoration
of the Temple of Athena clearly emphasizes the historical
and religious significance of ancient Side.
To provide a
richer understanding of the city’s importance, plans exist to undertake the
restoration of the shiny Temple
of Apollo that suffered
from exposure to all weather conditions over the past centuries. A very
tempting prospect!
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