Temple of Apollo Smintheus (Gülpınar, Çanakkale)
The Temple of Apollo Smintheus, located in Gülpınar village in the Ayvacık district of Çanakkale Province, is one of the most important Hellenistic sanctuaries in the Troad region. In ancient sources, the site is called Smintheion, meaning “Apollo the Mouse God,” a cult title associated with protection against plague.
(Source: UNESCO – Archaeological Site of Troy and the Sanctuary of Apollo Smintheus
and Turkish Museums – Smintheion Archaeological Site)
The temple dates to the late 2nd century BC and was constructed in the Ionic order. Its design is attributed to the architect Hermogenes of Priene, who introduced the pseudodipteral plan—a layout that gives the appearance of a double colonnade but leaves extra space around the cella. The temple measures roughly 8.5 × 40 meters, surrounded by 36 columns with an octastyle façade (8 columns across the front).
(Source: Smintheion Excavations – Temple of Apollo Smintheus Project
and Türkiye Kültür Portal – English entry
https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/en/turkey/canakkale/where-to-go/apollon-smintheus-temple)
The sculpted frieze reliefs of the temple depict dramatic scenes from Homer’s Iliad, including episodes of the Trojan War. These reliefs are among the most significant examples of Hellenistic narrative sculpture in Anatolia.
(Source: ResearchGate – “The Sculpted Friezes of the Temple of Apollo Smintheus”
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/361293291_The_Sculpted_Friezes_of_the_Temple_of_Apollo_Smintheus)
Archaeological research at the site began in 1866 by Frank Calvert, the same pioneer who first identified the site of Troy, and systematic excavations have been conducted by Turkish teams since 1980. The sanctuary area, temple columns, and relief blocks have been restored, offering visitors a clear impression of its original grandeur.
(Source: Smintheion Archaeological Site – Turkish Museums)
The Mouse God aspect of Apollo at Smintheion reflects an ancient apotropaic (protective) cult. Mice were believed to carry plague; worshippers invoked Apollo Smintheus to protect against disease, and votive figurines of mice have been discovered in the sanctuary.
(Source: Ancient Origins – “Apollo Smintheus: The Mouse God of the Troad”
https://www.ancient-origins.net/history/apollo-smintheus-mouse-god-troad-0017293)