Temple of Artemis in Magnesia on the Maeander

The Temple of Artemis in Magnesia on the Maeander stands as a remarkable example of Hellenistic architecture, featuring pseudodipteral design with Ionic columns and elaborate sculptural decorations that once rivaled the famous temple at Ephesus.

Built in the late 3rd century BCE by architect Hermogenes of Priene, this temple replaced an earlier archaic sanctuary and became the third largest temple in Asia Minor according to ancient geographer Strabo.

The temple served as the centerpiece for the Leucophryna festival, a quadrennial celebration that attracted pilgrims from across the Greek world to honor Artemis Leucophryne, the patron goddess of fertility and nature.

Located near the modern village of Ortaklar in Aydın Province, the archaeological site remains accessible to visitors, though many original architectural elements are now displayed in museums in Berlin, Istanbul, and Paris.

The temple's pseudodipteral design created an optical illusion where the inner colonnade appeared double from the outside, representing an innovative architectural solution that influenced later Roman temple construction throughout the Mediterranean world.

Location: Tekin

Location: Aydın Province

Location: Magnesia on the Maeander

Architects: Hermogenes of Priene

Architectural style: Hellenistic architecture

GPS coordinates: 37.85333,27.52722

Latest update: July 24, 2025 11:30