Ephesus

Antique city of Ephesus is less known than Troy, but it is more interesting for tourists. It finally was abandoned only in the XV century and therefore better preserved. If you're like antient ruins, then choose Ephesus among all ancient cities of Turkey.

Ephesus is known primarily because of one of the Seven Wonders - Temple of Artemis. We certainly knew that it has not survived, but had a little hope if suddenly something left. Unfortunately, nothing, there are only contours.

Turks carefully placed some column in the center of the field and tells that its original. But the currently available information indicates that the original columns were 18 meters high. There are 127 of such columns and the size of the temple was 52 meters by 105 meters, which is approximately equal to a football field.


Ephesus was built as a port city and developed rapidly. However, the sea began to recede and that was the reason for the decline. Now it is in 6 kilometers from the city! The ruins were found in 1869.

If you are walking without a guide, be sure to take some map with a description. It will help to identify the places as much things are well preserved.

The most famous building and the symbol of Ephesus is Celsus Library, which was built in 114-135 years during the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. 12000 scrolls were stored inside (not too much in comparison to other ancient libraries). Its current facade was reconstructed in 1960-70s.


The city had two theaters and bigger of them at the same time was the largest theater in the ancient world and could accommodate 25,000 spectators (at least I have not heard of bigger than this one).




Do not miss Ephesus toilet, it even cooler than toilets in Sochi :)


On some structures survived even the names and dates of construction. For example on the temple of Hadrian is written 135 AD.




















There is one more attraction - House of the Virgin Mary - in 10 kilometers from Selcuk and Ephesus. This is small building of VII century with basement dated to I century. In the 19th century scientists began to believe that mother of Jesus Christ spent her last years in this house. It became a place of pilgrimage. You have to take a taxi to visit it.






Several maps of Ephesus






On this map you can see the location of the Temple of Artemis (Artemiseion).


Getting there: The ruins of Ephesus are located a few kilometers from the town of Selcuk. The nearest airport is Izmir (86 km). Some airlines offer a free shuttle to Selcuk. There is a small bus stop (Selçuk - Ephesus Otogar) in 2 kilometers from the airport where stands minibuses to Selcuk (1 hour, $3.5). Ask a taxi driver to find this place ($5). Also you can go by the train, which runs seven times a day. The train departs from Basmane Station (Izmir) at 07:45, 09:00, 11:25, 15:40, 16:30, 17:15 and 19:10 and passes the airport about 20 minutes after departure. You can also arrive by shuttle bus from Kusadasi (from bus station or Friday Market Avenue) or by bus from Istanbul (Varan bus lines, 10 hours, $35). At the bus station in Selcuk take a minibus to Ephesus (10 minutes).