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Destinations:

Istanbul
     Topkapi Palace    Ankara 
Cappodocia 
Konya  
Aspendos 
Perge  
Antalya 
Pamukkale 
Ephesus 
Aphrodisias   
Kusadasi 
Pergamum 
Troy 
Canakkale 
Gallipoli

This ancient city dates from 11th century B.C.  It was one of the first five cities of the Roman Empire; it was visited by Brutus, Cassius, Antony and Cicero.  The preaching of the Apostle John (buried nearby) and the Virgin Mary choosing it as her place of residence after the crucifixion, turned Ephesus into one of the places in Christian history.  Population was estimated at 200,000.  Its decline began in the 3rd century when it was conquered and sacked by the Goths.  In 1869 archeological excavations started the restoration which still continues.

Of Turkey's hundreds of ancient cities and classical ruins, Ephesus is the grandest and best preserved.  It is advertised as one of the best preserved ancient cities in the world. Ephesus was Ionia, a flourishing cultural center during the Greek Empire, and a busy provincial capital during Roman times. Ionia's Temple of Diana was counted among the Seven Wonders of the World, and the city was generally renowned for its wealth and beauty. 

We walked on the grand marble-paved Arcadian Way, saw the Temple of Hadrian, Library of Celsus, mosaic tiled street, scattering of fountains, brothels, libraries, amphitheater, terrace houses and public toilets.  Ephesus' Harbor Road was one of the few lit streets of antiquity. Today, Ephesus is one of the few ancient sites in the world that comes to life not only by day, but also by night when music and drama is still performed in its theater.  

Click on a picture to enlarge.

Ruins of the Basilica of St. John More of the ruins down on the hillside Some more of the ruins behind the brick wall Outline of the basilica buildings The grave site of St. John Information sign for Mary's house Statue by the chapel John in front of the House of Mary - now a small chapel Information sign for Ephesus One of the main streets heading to the Library of Celsus John in front of the Library of Celsus The library ruins from another angle Street of the Curetes Broader view of the ruins as we walked around the site Public water closet A mian street paved with mosaic tiles A close-up of the tile design Hadrian's Temple Hadrian's Temple Hadrian's Temple Odeion, a small theater, with inscription of 150 A.D., attributes its foundation to Publius Vedius Antonius The Odeion theater was originally covred and seated 1400 Ruins of some ancient homes Closer view of the stonework for the homes Some statuary still remains Ruins of an ancient building The main street that went to the Aegean Sea Amazing how some of this stone work survived More stone work Looking back at the Library of Celsus More ruins in Ephesus More ruins in Ephesus Another small amphitheater Artwork by the amphitheater Pillars that were roof supports Another amphitheater on the hillside More ruins in Ephesus More ruins in Ephesus Entrance to a large home One of the main streets used by tourists by the Library of Celsus More stone work Large headless statue lightbox gallery cmsby VisualLightBox.com v6.1