Miletus

The Sacred Way begins at the Harbor Gate and extended south for 300 feet to the square in front of the bouleterion. It was 90 feet wide, with sidewalks 18 feet wide on either side. It passed through the city walls at a Roman gate restored by Trajan, and continued out of the city for 12 miles (20 km) to Didyma. The inhabitants of Miletus traveled this route each year for a pilgrimage to the Temple of Apollo.

Near the southern mouth of the beautiful Great Menderes River stands the majestic city of Miletus, or rather, its ruins. Despite the passage of thousands of years, the architectural remains remain perfectly preserved, and every tourist can now see this pearl of Ionia. It was founded around the fourth millennium BC. Therefore, it is rightfully considered one of the most ancient settlements in the territory of modern-day Turkey.

Mighty Miletus: The Pearl of Ionia

Miletus Faustina Baths

Gladiator carving in the Miletus' theatre

The theatre and city were built on the cave of Cybele. Cybele offers us rebirth in her caves.

In a time of global renewal, Cybele is much needed Goddess

Miletus endures the test of time.

The sprawling metroplis was linked to many Greek islands, including Patmos.

Miletus is energetically linked to the Apollo Temple of Didyma

Supplicants would arrive from many lands in Miletus and then converse the sacred way, in a trance state, to recieve and oracle at the Apollo temple.

The termal baths

The archetypal und archaic Anatolian goddess, Cybele, was revered not only throughout Anatolia but also on the neighboring (modern day) Greek islands.

Evidence of her cult can still be seen today in the cave formations and niches carved into hillsides. Her great gift to humanity is the mystery of rebirth.

Many of these caves symbolize the birth canal and end in womb-like forms. On the island of Samos, for example, one enters the caves as if stepping back into the darkness of the womb—not of a biological mother and father, but of the Great Goddess of eternity.

During our journey through Anatolia, we will visit many such places—caves and rock niches where Cybele was likely venerated long before the appearance and unveiling of the many goddesses who later emerged in human consciousness, in our hearts and in our souls.