Many well-known and beautiful examples of Roman ruins exist around the Mediterranean, but very few can simulate the experience of walking around an actual Roman city. Turkey’s Ephesus, however, is one such place. Walking through the ancient stone streets of a well- preserved Roman city, visitors feel transported back to ancient times.
History of Ephesus
Ephesus was originally a powerful Greek city-state that later became the third largest city in Roman Asia. During the early Christian era, St. Paul and St. John are both said to have spent time in the city.
Ephesus was perhaps best known in antiquity as the home of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis, which unfortunately was destroyed in the 3rd century A.D. Today, all that remains of the famous temple is a single column.
What to see in Ephesus
Much of Ephesus has been extraordinarily well preserved, and the complex is easily accessible as a walking tour. Usually visitors enter from the upper Magnesia Gate and make their way through the complex before exiting at the lower Harbor Gate. Once inside, the attractions are plentiful and consistently impressive. The best attractions include:
The Temple of Hadrian – One of the most stunning sites along the avenue is the Temple of Hadrian. The temple boasts a magnificent facade, with a large curved arch supported by four Corinthian columns, while the interior contains a number of impressive friezes.
Flickr/ topquark22
The Avenue of the Curates – One of the main streets of Ephesus; despite damage by earthquakes over the centuries, the avenue still retains the shape and splendor of an ancient Roman thoroughfare.
Ephesus Breeze/Ephesus Breeze
The Terrace Houses – On the hill opposite the Temple of Hadrian sits this collection of six dwellings, all stunning examples of Roman residential construction. Containing a number of beautiful mosaics and frescoes, the houses also were once heated by a sophisticated system of clay pipes.
Flickr/ Erik Cleves Kristensen
The Celsus Library – Located at the end of the Avenue of the Curates, this library is famed for its spectacular two-storied entrance, and was once home to over 12,000 scrolls.
- The Celsus Library is listed as one of the top visitor attractions in Turkey.
flickr/Cihangir Yariz
The Great Theater - The largest and most well-preserved of its kind in the world. Standing on the ancient stage of the theater, which has a seating capacity of 24,000, is an incomparable experience.
Flickr/ Frank Kovalchek
Temple of the Sebastoi - Also known as the Temple of Domitian, it was one of the largest temples in the city. It is set on vaulted foundations, with eight columns along the shorter sides and thirteen on the longer ones, and was dedicated to the Flavian Dynasty.
Wikimedia Commons/Rita1234Take a tour of Ephesus
Ephesus is conveniently located only a few kilometers from the modern city of Selcuk, and can be reached by taxi or bus, or on foot, from Selcuk’s center. The ancient city can also be visited as a day trip from the coastal resort town of Kusadasi.
The tour includes a hotel pick-up in Kusadasi, and an itinerary that includes, in addition to Ephesus, stops at St. John’s Basilica and the House of the Virgin Mary. A knowledgeable local guide accompanies tour members to these sites, as well as to a lunch of local Turkish cuisine.
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