Ephesus

Ephesus

Ephesus is the best-preserved classical city on the Mediterranean,and perhaps the best place in the world to get the feeling for what life was like in Roman times. As a strategic coastal gateway to the Eastern World, this Ionian refuge grew to be the second largest city in the Roman Empire, the site of a Christian shrine, and one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Where is it?

Ephesus was discovered in the Selcuk district of Izmir (a.k.a. Ismir) province and is situated in the west Anatolian of republic of Turkey. Kusadasi is a mere 19 km. away and Pamucak beach of Kusadasi is only 5 km away. It is a very historic city situated south of the Cayster River, and was the site of the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Traditionally founded by the Carians, it was one of the 12 Ionian Cities and was involved in the Persian and Peloponnesian wars. It was taken by Alexander the Great c.334 BC and prospered throughout the Hellenistic period. It passed to Rome in 133 BC; under Augustus it became the capital of the Roman province of Asia. It was an early seat of Christianity, visited by St. Paul, and the recipient of the Epistle to the Ephesians. The Goths destroyed the city and temple in AD 262; neither ever recovered. There are extensively excavated ruins at the modern site.

What to do and see:

We recommend that you take a guided tour of the site to fully grasp the historical significance of this city and the influence of the civilizations who once lived and prospered there. Your guide will know the fascinating story of the city and of the people who lived there. You'll enter the site through the Magnesia gate, and as you walk through the Gate of Hercules, you'll be astonished by the size of Ephesus. You'll admire Curates street, and the Corinthian style temple of Hadrian with its Medusa's head over the door in order to keep the demons away. You can also visit the Celsus Library, the Scholastic Baths, and the state agora.

The great Theatre is located just beyond what is called the Sacred or Marble Way. The theater seats 25,000 people and its acoustics are excellent. Before you leave the site, make sure you get a look at the ruins of the port of Ephesus, (you'll note that the water has dried up since). Just beyond the souvenir shops, you'll find the port's baths and gymnasium.