Ancient temples in Turkey
 
Seleucia ad Calycadnum (Silifke)

 

  

     
 

 

   
Temple of: Zeus, Aphrodite or Apollon Sarpedonicus
erected: 2nd century A.D.
Dimensions: Stylobat: 40 x 21 m
  Peristasis: 8 x 14
   
Ground plan
   
Roman province: Cilicia
Location: Silifke, Silifke county, Province Mersin
 
   

To which deity the Roman temple in today's Silifke was dedicated is not handed down.

 
   
The history of Seleucia ad Calycadnum:

 
   

 
   

In the 2nd century AD, the Romans built an imposing temple on the outskirts of Seleucia ad Calycadnum. To which deity the temple was consecrated is not handed down. It could be the temple of Zeus, but also a temple of Aphrodite or Apollon Sarpedonicus. It is a fact that it was converted into a church in the first half of the 5th century under Bishop Dexianos.

 
   
 
   

14 columns were erected on the longitudinal side and 8 columns on the front side of a 2 meter high platform measuring 40 x 21 meters.

 
   

 
   
 
   
 
   

 
   

What has been preserved is an 8-metre-high, 90-centimetre-measured channelled column. Storks have built their nest on the rest of the architrave.

 
   
 
The only preserved frieze block in the archaeological museum in Silifke  
   

The column bases are preserved on the south and west sides. Neither the gable nor the beams have survived the centuries. Only one of the frieze blocks could be found and is now in the Silifke Archaeological Museum.

 
     
     
Photos: @chim, Monika P.    
Translation aid: www.DeepL.com/Translator    
Source: Wikipedia and others