One of Turkey’s greatest tourist attractions is the ancient city of Ephesus, which lies 4 km from the town of Selcuk in Aegean Turkey. It contains the largest collection of Roman ruins east of the Mediterranean and only an estimated 15% has been excavated. The site is still enormous and gives the impression of the original grandeur of the city. The fact that it is mentioned in the Bible adds to its acclaim. Getting There
Izmir International airport is the nearest to the Ephesus at 55 km away. If you are staying on the coast you can get a cruise ship to nearby Kusadasi and a minibus from here to the site. The nearest town is Selcuk and you can get taxis or dolmus (minibus) directly to Ephesus from here. Once you reach Ephesus, be prepared to walk for miles as this is the only mode of transport here, take plenty of water and something to protect you from the sun as it gets extremely hot around midday.A Lot of History
Ephesus used to be one of Anatolia’s ancient cities. During the Classical Greek era it was part of Iona. It is muted that the Gospel of John was written here and the site was also mentioned in the Book of Revelations. Many gladiators are buried here. The magnificent Temple of Artemis was completed in 550 BC, but destroyed by the Goths in 263.
Early traces of civilization date back to the Neolithic Age around 6000 BC. Settlements from the Bronze Age have also been uncovered at the Ayasuluk Hill as has a burial ground from the Mysenaean period around 1500-1400 BC. Historians believe that the city of Ephesus was founded in the 10th century BC on the Bronze Age city of Apasa a name given to Ephesus by the Hittites.
A prince of Athens called Androkolos was the legendary founder of the city. It is said that he had to leave Greece when his father King Kadros died and founded the city according to instructions from the oracle Delphi who told him that "a fish and a boar will show you the way". Androklos brought his followers from his hometown and drove away most of the native inhabitants. He was known as a successful warrior and king, who united the twelve cities of Ionia to form the Ionian league. Leading Greek historians believe the city was created by the queen of the Amazons, Ephos. Many pagan gods are featured in the city including the goddess Artemis and there is a temple in her honour. Statues of the Anatolian goddess Kybele have been found there.
Ephesus is mentioned in the New Testament and was an important centre in the fight for Christianity. The Apostle Paul came here and was imprisoned in what is now called ‘the Paul Tower.’ The Apostle John also visited the city. Christian churches were eventually established here and the House of the Virgin Mary 7 km from Selcuk, the nearest town today is thought to have been the home of Jesus’ mother, Mary before she died. Ephesus is often referred to as the city of the Seven Sleepers, which refers to seven saints honoured by Catholics and Muslims alike who were persecuted for their faith in God. They are alleged to have spent several centuries sleeping in a cave near to the city.
In 650 BC the city was captured and burnt by the Cimmerians; archeologists have found several relics of their existence here. The Cimmerians were forced to leave and a reign by successive tyrannical leaders followed. The people eventually fought back and the city was ruled by a democratic council called the Kuretes. Once again, the city flourished. The Lydians were the next to rule here in 560 BC and they warred with Persia, lost and their cities were incorporated into the Achaemenid Empire. Taxes were raised and the citizens of Ephesus joined the Ionian Revolt against the Persians. After turbulent rule by numerous famous Empires including the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Ephesus, whose proximity to the coast, which made it a key harbour was now receding was finally abandoned,
Must See
The sites to see in what is possible the world’s greatest archaeological site are numerous. Ephesus Theatre overshadows the view down Harbour St. It is a large site and breathtaking to say the least capable of seating 44,000 people making it the largest open air theatre in the ancient world. The incredible Libarary of Celsus has an impressive façade, which archaeologists have reconstructed from the original pieces. The building was originally built by Gaius Julius Aquila in 125 AD to honour his father’s memory. St John’s Basillica was constructed in 6 AD under the Emperor Justinian I at the site of the apostle's tomb. The most famous site here and one of the Seven Wonders of the World is the Temple of Artemis, but unfortunately, all that remains is a single column. The Odeon, a small theatre whose name was adopted across the Western world by modern day cinemas, was built in 150 AD to house 1,500 people. The 2nd century Temple of Hadrian has been restored and shows evidence of its earlier renovation in the 4th century. There are some wonderful reliefs here, but they are casts from the originals now in neighbouring Selcuk Archaeological Museum. One of the city’s largest temples was the Temple of Domitian.
Entertainment and Accommodation
There are plenty of fast food stands and small restaurants at the exit gates, but the best are on the route to Selcuk or Kusadasi or in the towns themselves.
