Ephesus, A Place To Remember

**The Library of Celsus is one of the most impressive ruins.**

Kusadasi, Turkish Aegean Coast, Turkey Wednesday April 8, 2015

Ephesus is an ancient Greek city on the coats of Ionia, three kilometers southwest of present day Selcuk in Izmir province, Turkey. It is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city was once considered the most important Greek city and the most important trading center in the Mediterranean region. Throughout history, Ephesus survived multiple attacks and changed hands many times between conquerors. It was also a hotbed of early Christian evangelism and remains an important archeological site and Christian pilgrimage destination.

A trip to Ephesus is a must. It is both fascinating and amazing and a magical place that enthralls even those who normally find rubbernecking around ruins a bore.

The Virgin Mary is believed to have visited there between 37 and 45 A.D. The two-story library once contained thousands of scrolls, and the Terrace Houses display intricate mosaics and colorful frescoes. The fabulous Temple of Cybele at Artemis -- which Alexander the Great visited during its construction in 334 B.C. -- was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Ephesus is significant historically and religiously. Ephesus is mentioned multiple times in the New Testament, and the biblical book of Ephesians, written around 60 A.D., is thought to be a letter from Paul to Ephesian Christians, although some scholars question the source.

It takes several hours to get around. There are three entrances to Ephesus; The Magnesian Gate (on the road to the house of Mother Mary), the Koressos Gate (at the back of the Stadium) and the harbor. It a must to have tours to Ephesus with local tour guides and local travel agencies that way you don’t miss any pf the key places to visit.

Revised entry ticket costs (Admission fees) for Ephesus and nearby sites are as follows: Ephesus: 15 euro per person (100 Turkish Lira) House of Mary: 7 Euro per person (45 Turkish Lira) Temple of Artemis: Free of Charge

Often included in tours to Ephesus and definitely not worth missing is a visit to the House of the Virgin Mary, located atop Nightingale Mountain (Bulbul). It's a humble, one-story brick house that, by myth, is supposed to be the place where she spent her last years. Discovered in 1880 by a German nun with a vision, the house has been visited by countless folks on pilgrimages, including two popes. Sometimes included with an Ephesus tour is an excursion to the Basilica of St. John. Many believe that St. John spent his last years near Ephesus and was buried in the area. The small church built over his grave site in the 4th century was turned into a basilica in the 6th century.

AROUND EPEHESUS

Besides, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, The Temple of Artemis is located nearby Ephesus. The third reason is that the House of Virgin Mary which is one of the pilgrimage destinations in Christianity is located a few miles to Ephesus Ancient City. The fourth reason is the Basilica of St John which is known as the church where St John wrote his gospel and died in here.

If you have extra time you can also swing by the Ephesus Museum, Isa Bay Mosque, Sirince Village and Selcuk.

APRIL 8, 2015 EPHESUS, TURKEY (213).jpg — **The theater of Ephesus is quite famous because it is the place where the apostle Paul had to defend himself against accusations of atheism.**

In ancient Ephesus, we walked through history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings, among them the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus; it was built in the beginning of the 2nd century A.D. by Gaius Julius Aquila to be a memorial to his father Gaius Julius Celsus Polemanus, the proconsul of Province of Asia.

**Ephesus, near Selcuk, Izmir Province, Turkey. Library of Celsus, dating from circa 125 AD. Ephesus is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.**

THE TEMPLE OF HADRIAN AND THE GRAND THEATRE are two of the most impressive buildings in Ephesus. Grand theatre was built in 3rd century B.C and it was later expanded to 24.000 spectators by the Romans in the 1st century A.D. The theater was the place where St. Paul preached.

We also stopped at Artemission Temple, considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world as our last stop. It is also known as the Temple of Diana. It was built to honor Artemis, one of the three maiden goddesses of Olympus.

Our last stop was to the TERRACE HOUSE

It is located on the hill, opposite the Hadrian Temple. Also called as "the houses of rich". It is important as it gave us information about family life during the Roman period. They were built according to the Hippodamian plan of the city in which roads transected each other at right angels.

There are six residential units on three terraces at the lower end of the slope of the Bulbul Mountain. The oldest building dates back into the 1C BC and continued in use as residence until the 7C AD.

Ephesus terrace houses are covered with protective roofing which resembles Roman houses. The mosaics on the floor and the frescos have been consolidated and two houses have been opened to the public as a museum.

They had interior courtyards (peristyle) in the center, with the ceiling open. They were mostly two-storied, upper stores have collapsed during time. On the ground floor there were living and dining rooms opening to the hall, and upstairs there were bedrooms and guest rooms.

The heating system of the terrace houses were the same as that in baths. Clay pipes beneath the floors and behind the walls carried hot air through the houses. The houses also had cold and hot water. The rooms had no window, only illuminated with light coming from the open hall, so that most of the rooms were dim. The excavations of the terrace houses started in 1960. The restoration of the two of the houses have been finished and can be visited today.

2023 Entrance Fess and Opening Hours

Ephesus, House of Virgin Mary and Nearby Attractions

Ephesus: 23.5 Euro per person (700 Turkish Lira)

House of Mary: 8.5 Euro per person (250 TL)

Temple of Artemis: Free of Charge

Sirince Village: Free of charge

Isa Bey Mosque: Free of Charge

Terrace Houses: 11 Euro per person (320 TL)

Basilica of St. John: 4.5 Euro per person (130 TL)

Museum of Ephesus: 7.5 Euro per person (220 TL)

Ephesus Ticket

Except Terrace Houses, there is no admission fee for children under 8 years old. For the proof of age, please bring passport copies with you. For Terrace Houses under 6 year old is free of charge.

* If you are going to visit other sites besides Ephesus in Western Turkey. There is a Museum Pass which provides multi visits to many sites without waiting in lines and you can make great savings. Valid for Ancient city of Ephesus, Basilica of St. John, Terrace Houses in Ephesus, Archaelogical Museum of Ephesus, Ancient city of Aphrodisias, Temple of Didyma, Ancient city of Smyrna, Ancient City of Miletus, Ancient City of Priene, Ancient City of Sardis, Ancient City of Pergamon, Asklepion of Pergamon and many others. For more information visit the following link: Museum Pass the Aegean - Multi visit pass for West Turkey.