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Ephesus: The ancient city
Included in the elite list of UNESCO world heritage sites, you need not be an archaeology buff to enjoy this place. Colonized by the son of King of Athens (Androclos) in 10 BC, this historic city is located in Selçük, the province Izmir, Turkey.
History
Escaping from an invasion in Greece, Androclos followed an Apollon oracle’s prediction for the location of settlement of his migrating convoys. In mid 6 BC it was ruled by a Lydian King and the city reached ‘the Golden age’ and got recognition for its culture and art. The Persians ruled it next. Afterwards, it was also dominated by Alexander the Great. The river silted up and its lifeline, the great harbor, and epidemics spread so the residents were forced to settle elsewhere and the city was abandoned. It is an amalgam of many ideological beliefs and systems of ruling. As you wander around imagining the thousands of inhabitants of Greek and Roman descent that thrived on its streets, romanticizing their life becomes inevitable.
Basilica of St. John
Used for stock exchange and commercial business, this was built in the 6th century AD over the assumed location of the apostle’s tomb.
Odeon (Bouleuterion)
Constructed around 150 AD, it was a 22 step, small salon supposedly used for plays and concerts and the parliament.
Originally built in 125 AD in memory of Tiberius Julius Celsus, governor of Roman Asia. This library once housed about 12,000 scrolls along with the sarcophagus of Celsus himself (still buried there).
One of the seven wonders of the ancient world, it once stood tall and magnificent with 56 feet high marble pillars, around a hundred in number making its measurements about 418’by 239’. This wonder earned Ephesus the title of ‘‘servant of the Goddess”. Archaeologists believe that it took 120 years to complete. Even in the form of ruins at present, this structure does not cease to fascinate the visitors.
The Temple of Hadrian
From 2nd century, it has been re-erected from the surviving structural fragments, the reliefs found are displayed in the Ephesus archaeological museum.
From 2nd century, it has been re-erected from the surviving structural fragments, the reliefs found are displayed in the Ephesus archaeological museum.
The Tomb/Fountain of Pollio
Constructed in the honor of C.sextilius Pollio, the building came into being in the 97 AD.
The Destroyed temple of Isis: Emperor Augustus ordered its destruction on the basis of his hostility towards Cleopatra and Anthony.
The Destroyed temple of Isis: Emperor Augustus ordered its destruction on the basis of his hostility towards Cleopatra and Anthony.
Remnants from all the above mentioned places are put on display here. A video animation on Ephesus is also run in 3 different languages- Turkish, English and German. 8 different exhibition halls categorically place the artifacts from Prehistoric, Mycenaean, Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman periods. This museum is a must recommendation for art and history lovers. Those who are not specifically fond of the subject need a good guide and we guarantee that they’ll fall in love with the historic cultures as well!
Traveling from Istanbul1. By air- Most convenient and least tiring it would take about an hour to reach Izmir and some airlines provide free shuttle between Izmir airport and Selcuk. Your guide can meet you either in Selcuk or Izmir. Private tours include the transportation from both these places.
2. By bus- Very tiring. It would take about 10 hours.
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