Temple of Apollo at Patara
Patara Apollon Tapınağı · Patara Oracle of Apollo
Archaic to Antonine (Lycia)·Lycian Greek and Roman Lycia·🇹🇷 Antalya, Kaş, Gelemiş (ancient Patara), Turkey
About
About Temple of Apollo at Patara
Oracle sanctuary of Apollo Patara, the winter seat of the Delian Apollo oracle equal to Delphi in Lycia, set on a low dune ridge behind Patara's vast Roman harbour lagoon. 200 BCE Hellenistic rebuilt Roman 147 CE after earthquake) with adjacent bouleuterion and granary, the oracle chamber with adyton pit where prophetess inhaled vapors as at Delphi — Claudius and Vespasian consulted it. 6). Festivals of Apollo in winter, when oracle moved from Delos, are epigraphically attested.
Akdeniz University excavations since 1988 expose temple foundations, granary walls to 10 m and bouleuterion wooden roof reconstruction.
Why it mattersSecond oracle of Apollo alongside Delphi-Delmos, key for Lycian League federalism study.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Vapor geology at Patara lagoon
- 02Oracle procedure vs Delphi tripod
Theories
- 01Winter oracle transfer from Delos (Servius)
- 02Harbour-protection oracle
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.500 BCE Archaic; rebuilt c.200 BCE and 147 CE Antonine
- Period
- Archaic to Antonine (Lycia)
- Culture
- Lycian Greek and Roman Lycia
- Builders
- Patara polis and Lycian League; Antonine restorers
- Purpose
- Principal Lycia oracle of Apollo and League federal sanctuary
- Abandoned
- c.400 CE with oracle suppression
- Rediscovered
- 1811 Beaufort survey; 1988 F. Işık Akdeniz University excavation
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c.500 BCE
Archaic oracle foundation
167 BCE
Lycian League capital status
147 CE
Antoninus earthquake restoration after 141 CE quake
1988
Işık systematic Patara project starts
On the ground
Structures & features
36.2600° N · 29.3140° E · 8 m · 2 mapped features
Apollo Adyton Pit
oracle pit2-m deep oracle pit at cella centre with vapor fissure
36.2605° N · 29.3145° EPatara Granary and Bouleuterion
adjacent complexAdjacent Hadrianic granary 32×75 m and bouleuterion 20×20 m League hall
36.2595° N · 29.3135° E