Didyma was an ancient Ionian shrine which is today known as Didim in Turkey. It was the most renowned oracle of the Hellenic world containing a temple and an oracle of Apollo. Mythic genealogies of the Branchidae line of priests, designed to capture the origins of Didyma as a Hellenistic tradition, date to the Hellenistic period.
It was the most significant and largest sanctuary on the territory of the great classical city Miletus. Visitors would follow the sacred way to Didyma, about 17 kilometers long.
Didyma was famed as a prophecy center dedicated to Apollo which served with a similar purpose as the Delphi of Anatolia. Ancient was not a real city only the priests lived there who specialized in oracular temple. In addition to pilgrimages made by sea, some festivals of drama, music and sports were held there every four years. Today’s Didyma (Didim) is a popular stop for tourists.
Didyma’s shrine was administrated by the Family of Branchidae from Persians in 494 BC.