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Ephesus Tours
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Ephesus for Cruise Guest
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Private Ephesus Tour
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Ephesus Reservation
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 The
findings obtained in this region where the native people, namely the Lelegs and
the Carians have lived since the
beginning, indicate that the city is dated back to 2000 years B.C. As far as the
years of 1000 are concerned, it is assumed that the
Ions came to this region, lead by Androckles. Ephesus was
captured by the Kimmers (Cimmerians) in the 7th century B.C., by the
Lydians in 560, and later in 546 B.C. by the Persians; and was
rescued from the Persian domination when Alexander the
Great defeated the Persians in 334 B.C.
 Lysimachos,
a commander of Alexander's, had the
settlement removed from the whereabouts of the Temple
of Artemis to the location between the Mount of Panayir and the
Mount of B�lb�l, and had a wall built around the city. The city was taken by the
Kingdom of Pergamon after 190 B.C., by
Rome in 133 B.C., and later by Byzantium.
Ephesus maintained its importance during the period of
Christianity; the apostle St. Paul
arrived there during the years of 50 A.D., and St.
John was buried on the hill of Ayasuluk (Selcuk, near
Izmir) at the beginning of the 2nd century.  Ephesus
lived through its third glorious period during the reign of
Justinian in the middle of the 6th century A.D. At this time,
the Church of St. John was built by
the Byzantine emperor.
The ruins of Ephesus, situated near Sel�uk town at 70 kilometers (44 miles)
south of Izmir, is a main center of
archaeological interest owing to the ancient remains that still exist. When you
enter through the Magnesia Gate (south gate or upper gate), you can see the
State Agora (or Upper Agora). The Temple of Isis is situated at the center of
the Agora, and Stoa is placed on the North side of it. The Odeion (Bouletarion
or Parliament) with a capacity of
1,400 persons is placed behind it and the Prytaneion (Town Hall) where the
sacred fire used to burn, is on its flank.  The
Baths of Varius are placed on the east side of Odeion. On the west of the Agora,
the Monument of Memmius built in the 1st century BC., the fountain of Sextilius
Pollio built in the year 93 A.D., and the Temple of Domitian (81-93 A.D) are
placed. On the south of the Agora, the fountain of Laecanius Bassus is situated.
The Curetes street starts downwards
from the Temple of Memmius. The Gate of Heracles (Hercules)
is placed on this avenue. After passing through this part, the fountain of
Trajan built in the years 102-114 is seen on the right hand side and after this,
the Temple of Hadrian appears in front of us, in all its splendid beauty
(117-138 A.D). The Scholastica Baths, built in the 4th century A.D., are
situated behind the Temple of Hadrian. The houses of the rich people of Ephesus
which were in front of it, have been restored and opened for visits at present
with special permits.
 At
the corner formed by the Curetes
street and the Marble Road, the House of Love (Pornaion or Brothel) is placed
and the Library of Celsus, restored and reestablished in recent years, stands
right in front of this. The library which had been built in the name of
proconsul Gaius Celsus completed in the year 135 A.D. by his son Tiberius
Giulius Aquila, is entered by way of a stairway, 21 meters (69 feet) in width
and having 9 steps. The southeastern gate of the Trade Agora opens to the
Library of Celsus. Emperor Augustus' slaves, Mazaeus and Mithridates, liberated
by him had this gate built in the year 1st century A.D.; it comprises three
sections and has been restored today. The Corinthian columns of the Stoa
encircling the Trade Agora with the dimensions 110 x 110 meters (361 x 361
feet), are standing erect today. The Temple of Serapes built in the period of
Antony (138-192 A.D.) is placed behind the Trade Agora.
 One
of the magnificent buildings of Ephesus is the Great Theater, largest in
Asia Minor, which had a capacity of more than 24.000 people and
is in a rather well preserved condition. The construction had started during the
Hellenistic period but it could only be completed during the time of Trajan
(98-117 A.D.). St. Paul was dragged
into this theater to face the crowed because of his famous
letter to Ephesians, but rescued by the security corps of the
city. Festivals are celebrated in this
theater today.
All the streets of Ephesus were illuminated at night with oil lamps, this shows
us the richness of the city. The Port Avenue extends in front of the theater.
The avenue is 11 meters (36 feet) wide and 600 meters (1970 feet) long, and it
has been called Arcadian Street because it was renewed during the time of
Arcadius. On the whole north side of the  avenue,
there are the Harbor Gymnasium, baths and the Theater Gymnasium. The avenue that
passes along the front of the theater, extends towards the Stadium built during
the Nero period (54-68 A.D.) and towards the Vedius Gymnasium. The Church of the
Virgin Mary built at the beginning of the 4th century A.D. is situated behind
the Port Gymnasium just before the exit from the lower gate (north gate). This
was also the meeting place of the 3rd
Ecumenical Council.
The Temple of Artemis
The House of Virgin Mary
Saint John Basilica |
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About Ephesus
