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Ephesus Highligts
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Celsus
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Basilica of St.
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Ephesus
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House of
Virgin Marry |
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Theatre |
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Temple of
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Brief Information About Ephesus
According to
tradition, Ephesus, one of the most important cities
of antiquity, was founded by Androclos, although it
has been established that the Lelegians and Carians
inhabited the place earlier. The city must have been
colonized no later than the 10th century B.C., by
the lonians. Then Persian invasion in the 6th
century B.C. took place. This was followed by Ionian
uprising against the Persians during the 5th century
B.C. The ruins remaining are of the city established
by Lyssimachos, one of the generals of Alexander the
Great in the 3rd century B.C. The best remains of
the city ramparts today are from this era. During
its Golden Age (2nd century B.C.), the city had a
population of around 300,000; it monopolized the
wealth of the Middle East and was one of the
principal ports of the Mediterranean. Finally, the
Roman and Byzantine Empires took control of the city.
When the Seljuks and later Ottomans claimed the
control of the city, it had already lost its
commercial and political significance. Today, a
visit to Ephesus is one of the highlights of any
visit to Turkey.
Visits
to the ruins of Ephesus usually begin in the eastern
part of the city through the Magnesia Gate, around
the important Upper Agora or also known as the State
Agora. The Eastern Gymnasium is located just next to
the Magnesia Gate on the Pion mountain side.
Clustered around the State Agora were the Varius
Baths and the Odeion, both from the 2nd century
A.D., the Prythaneion or Town Hall, and the Temple
of Domitian - the first temple of Ephesus to be
built in the name of an emperor (81 - 96A.D.) -
located next to the Domitian Square. The Temple of
Dea Roma was located right next to the Odeion.
Leading
westwards from the Upper Agora is the famous
Curettes Street. Of particular interest on the
eastern part of the street are the Pollio(4th
century A.D.) and Traian (2nd century A.D.)
Fountains, the Memmius Monument (1st. century A.D.),
the elegant facade of the Temple of Hadrianus, the
Skolasticia Baths (2nd cent. A.D.), and the Heracles
Gate. Set on the hillside above the street are the
restored Terraced Houses, containing interesting,
often well preserved frescoes from the 2nd century
A.D.
At
the start of the Marble Street (built by Nero, 54-68
A.D.) is the Lower Agora. Just to the left as one
approaches the agora, is the Celsus Library (2nd
century A.D.) with its very elaborate facade, which
has been restored. The Gate of Mazaeus and
Mithridates has been restored and is the most
beautiful entrance to the Agora. One of the most
interesting buildings in Ephesus, the Serapis Temple,
is located right to the west of the Agora. St. Paul
gave sermons in the Grand Theatre, seating 25,000 -
the most spectacular monument of Ephesus. The
Theatre beautifully restored and now serves as a
setting for the artistic and folkloric shows of the
international Ephesus Festival, held every year in
spring. The Theatre Gymnasium, opposite, built in
the 2nd century A.D., also contained a bath-house.
The
Arcadian Way was the long main road, paved with
marble and lined with columns on both sides, that
stretched from the Grand Theatre to the old port,
now totally silted. On this road was the Four
Evangelists Monument - four columns upon which stood
statues of the four evangelists. The marvelous
Hellenistic Fountain stood just across the Theater
and next to the eastern end of the Arcadian Way.
The
Vedius Gymnasium was located to the north end of the
city, right next to the Byzantine era city ramparts.
The oval shaped stadium was built during the time of
Emperor Neron and located to the south of the Vedius
Gymnasium. There was also a love house behind the
Hadrianus Temple.
Down
by the ancient harbour is the Harbour Gymnasium and
Baths. These were constructed near the quay in order
to receive with hospitality dignitaries who arrived
from the sea.
The
Church of the Holy Virgin Mary was constructed in
the 2nd and 3rd centuries, and it played an
important role in the early expansion of
Christianity; this church symbolized one of seven
Churches of the Apocalypse.
The
cave of the Seven Sleepers is reached through the
asphalt road which goes through the east of the
Vedius Gymnasium.
Nearby
is the House of the Virgin Mary. According to
tradition, St. John brought Mary to Ephesus after
the death of Christ. A small house was built for her
on Bulbuldagi (Mt. Nightingale) where she spent the
last days of her life. Officially sanctioned by the
Vatican, it is now popular site of pilgrimage,
visited by Christians and Muslims from all over the
world. A commemoration ceremony is held here every
year on the 15th of August.
On
the road from Ephesus to Selcuk is the ruin of the
Temple of Artemis. Once numbered amongst the Seven
Wonders of the ancient world, it was constructed
entirely of marble. The marble road which was
connecting the Temple of Artemis to the State Agora
through the Magnesia Gate was considered to be the
holy road of the city.
The
town of Selcuk is dominated by a Byzantine citadel
overlooking the Basilica of St.John (presently under
restoration). The present structure was built by the
Emperor Justinian in the 6th century A.D. St.John
lived on this hilltop and was buried here. Next to
the Basilica is the Isa Bey Mosque with its typical
Seljuk-style portal. It is one of the finest major
works representing Seljuk art.
The
first excavations of the ancient city of Ephesus was
started in the late 19th century.
The
Ephesus Archaeological Museum in Selcuk has been
enlarged and displays now the impressive works of
art recovered from and around Ephesus
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