Ephesus

🏛️ Ephesus – The Second Largest & Best-Preserved Ancient City in the World

📍 Location: Western Turkey, near Selcuk
⏳ Founded: 10th century BC
🌟 Famous For: Incredible Greco-Roman ruins, Library of Celsus, Great Theatre, Temple of Artemis

Why Visit Ephesus?

✅ Best-Preserved Ancient City in the Eastern Mediterranean.
✅ Home to One of the Seven Churches of Asia (Revelation, Bible).
✅ A Site of Early Christianity & the Gospel of John.
✅ Second Largest City in the Roman Empire (after Rome itself!).
✅ Once Home to the Legendary Temple of Artemis (One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World).

🗺️ Main Attractions in Ephesus

📜 The Library of Celsus

✔️ Built in 125 AD by Gaius Julius Aquila for his father, Celsus Polemaeanus.
✔️ One of the most photographed ancient structures in the world.
✔️ Once held 12,000 scrolls, making it one of the greatest libraries of antiquity.
✔️ Stunning two-story façade with columns & statues representing Wisdom, Knowledge, Goodness & Thought.

🎭 The Great Theatre of Ephesus

✔️ Could seat 25,000 spectators!
✔️ Hosted gladiator battles, dramas & public meetings.
✔️ Built during the Hellenistic period, later expanded by the Romans.
✔️ Mentioned in the Bible – St. Paul preached here to convert pagans to Christianity.

🏛️ Temple of Hadrian

✔️ Dedicated to Emperor Hadrian (AD 117-138).
✔️ Beautifully preserved relief carvings of gods & goddesses.
✔️ One of the best examples of Roman architecture in Ephesus.

🏛️ The Odeon (Small Theatre)

✔️ A bouleuterion (council house) where political & philosophical debates were held.
✔️ Capacity: 1,500 people.
✔️ Once covered by a wooden roof, making it an excellent venue for musical performances.

🚶‍♂️ The Marble Sacred Street

✔️ The main road of ancient Ephesus, connecting the Library of Celsus to the Theatre.
✔️ Lined with ancient shops, statues & monuments.
✔️ Evidence of a brothel! (Roman graffiti points towards it).

🏛️ The Terrace Houses (Elite Roman Mansions)

✔️ Luxury homes of wealthy Ephesians with well-preserved mosaics & frescoes.
✔️ Heating systems & private baths – showing Roman engineering genius.
✔️ Located opposite the Temple of Hadrian.

🏛️ The Commercial Agora (Marketplace)

✔️ The economic heart of ancient Ephesus, where goods from all over the empire were traded.
✔️ Surrounded by colonnaded walkways & grand arches.

🚪 The Gate of Augustus

✔️ Main entrance to the city.
✔️ Named after the first Roman Emperor Augustus.

🛐 Religious & Biblical Significance of Ephesus

✝️ St. John’s Basilica

✔️ Built over the believed tomb of St. John, one of Jesus’ 12 apostles.
✔️ Constructed by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD.
✔️ A major Christian pilgrimage site.

🏠 House of the Virgin Mary

✔️ Believed to be the final home of Mary, mother of Jesus.
✔️ Discovered in the 19th century based on visions of a German nun.
✔️ Visited by Popes Paul VI, John Paul II & Benedict XVI.

⛪ Church of Mary (Council of Ephesus Site, 431 AD)

✔️ First church dedicated to the Virgin Mary in history.
✔️ Hosted the Council of Ephesus (431 AD), which confirmed Mary as the “Mother of God”.

📌 Other Must-Visit Places Near Ephesus

🏘️ Sirince Village

✔️ Famous for wine-making & Greek-style architecture.
✔️ Quaint cobbled streets, local markets & stunning mountain views.

🏛️ Pergamon

✔️ Ancient Acropolis & Temple of Trajan.
✔️ Famous for the Pergamon Altar (now in Berlin Museum).

⛲ Pamukkale & Hierapolis

✔️ Stunning white travertine terraces & ancient healing thermal pools.

🚗 How to Get to Ephesus?

✈️ By Air: Fly into Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB), then drive 1 hour to Ephesus.
🚂 By Train: Regular trains from Izmir to Selcuk (Ephesus).
🚍 By Bus: Direct buses from Istanbul, Ankara & major Turkish cities.
🚗 By Car: Easy drive from Izmir, Kusadasi & Selcuk.

📌 Why Visit Ephesus?

✅ One of the most well-preserved ancient cities in the world.
✅ A major historical, biblical & architectural landmark.
✅ Home to the Temple of Artemis – One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
✅ A UNESCO World Heritage Site & a must-visit for history lovers.