Ephesus, the peak of antiquity

Ephesus, which was included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage at the end of a 21-year wait, entered the list with four components, unlike many other members of the list. The last place on the list from Izmir was also founded by female warriors known as Ephesus Amazon, one of the oldest and most magnificent ancient cities of Andolu. The history of the city, which carries the traces of ancient Greek, Hellenic and Roman civilizations, goes back to 6,000 years and earlier. The columns and ruins of this library, which hosted more than 14 thousand books in the past, have been restored and restored in accordance with their original form today. Taking pictures in front of the library is one of the first things many tourists do when visiting Ephesus. Ephesus and its surroundings have other historical sites such as the House of Virgin Mary, the Temple of Artemis and the Seven Sleepers.

Architecture of the Ancient City of Ephesus

One of the most striking features of Ephesus is that all avenues and streets intersect each other at right angles. The founder of this architecture is Hippodamos and this architecture is called the Grid Plan. Ephesus, which was one of the most developed cities in the world in its time, was built and decorated with marble works that required high technology and skillful skill according to the conditions of that day. It was also the capital of the Asian State for a period. Its population at that time was estimated at around two hundred thousand.

World Famous Artifacts in Ephesus

The ruins of Ephesus, which have survived to the present day, still exist in an area of 8-9 kilometers. Some of the world-famous works of Ephesus are: Temple of Artemis, Celsius Library, Virgin Mary's House, Seven Sleepers (Ashab-ı Kehf), Isa Bey Mosque, Hadrian Temple, Domitian Temple, Serapis Temple, Church of Mary, St. Jean's Basilica, Upper Agora, Basilica, Prytaneion (Town Hall), Marble Street, Domitianus Square, Magnesia Gate (Upper Gate), East Gymnasium, Heracles Gate, Mazeus Mitridatis Gate, Monumental Fountain, Trajan's Fountain, Heroon, Hillside Houses, Grand Theater , Palace Building, Stadium and Gymnasium, Theater Gymnasium, Harbor Bath, Harbor Gymnasium, St John's Castle.

Important Buildings of the Ancient City of Ephesus

Of course, Ephesus is an invaluable treasure with every inch of it, but of course, there are buildings that stand out in Ephesus, which we would be ashamed to visit without having a little knowledge.

The Temple of Artemis

Much can be written, a lot can be said about the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the world, but whatever we write, we cannot describe it as beautiful as Antipader of Sidon, who compiles the seven wonders of the world. it draws in your mind what a magnificent structure this place is.

Ephesus Ancient Theater

This theater, which is the largest open-air theater of the ancient period, has a capacity of 24,000 people. The stage of the theater is unfortunately in ruins, but the seating areas are in good condition. Apart from being the biggest theater, this theater is also a very important work for Christianity, as it is the place where St. Paul's sermons take place.

Celsus Library

Perhaps the most beautiful building in Ephesus. Celsus Library M.S. It was built by his son on behalf of Celsius, the governor of Ephesus, who died in 106. Although the library has a two-storey appearance from the outside, it is a single-storey building with high ceilings from the inside. There is a very surprising and funny claim about this place. There is a general house right across from the library. Looking at other ancient cities, this situation cannot be said to be the first. However, the claim is that there is a secret passage through the library that leads to this brothel.

Hillside Houses

Queue on the site of the wealthy of Ephesus. Each of the houses built on an area of 4000 m² has a courtyard. The houses were so luxurious according to the period that they were heated with underfloor heating system. These houses, which were used until the city was abandoned, are now in good condition for visiting.

The House of the Virgin Mary

This is the church where Mary is thought to have spent her last years with St. John. The discovery of this church also has a very interesting story. A woman living in a German village named Anna Katharina Emmerick, who has never left her village before, falls ill with an incurable disease. After she is infected, she begins to give very consistent information about people she cannot recognize and places she cannot see.

The Seven Sleepers

It's an overlapping myth in many cultures, with minor differences in Christianity and Islam. The common point of all legends is that 7 people who left their people, tired of the pressures of the rulers of the period, entered a cave and lived there.

Places to Visit in Ephesus

After visiting an important region of ancient history such as Ephesus, there are many touristic places you should visit.

State Agora (Upper Agora)

The square in front of the Odeion is the state agora of the city. The state agora is the area where religious and official ceremonies are held, where trade is carried out under the control of the state. Next to the Agora, the place to be reached by stairs is the basilica, which has a function at the level of the commodity exchange of Ephesus. The basilica is 165 meters long on the occasion of M.S. It was built by the Romans in the 1st century.

Trade Agora

Agora, which is the starting point of Marble Street, is the most important commercial and cultural center of the city. Agora, which is 110 meters in size and surrounded by shops, is a proof of how active the commercial life in Ephesus was at that time. B.C. The commercial Agora, which was established in the 3rd century, reached its present shape during the reign of Emperor Augustus.

Hercules Gate

Passing through the Curetes street, we see the Hercules Gate with the relief of Hercules between the two columns. This area where the gate is located is the Gate of Hercules, which is among the most beautiful photo spots of Ephesus, and is a gate consisting of two columns.

Ephesus Odeons

There are great theaters in Roman ancient cities; there are also small meeting areas that we call the Odeon, which are very similar to the theatre. This semi-circular area that you can see is an odeon, with these columns and the surrounding sitting groups, expanding to the back. The nobles of the city come together, in this city council, both the city talks and some critical decisions are taken.

Trajan's Fountain

When we say fountain, we think of Ottoman and Seljuk fountains. The fountain logic in us is generally charity, that is, helping. Roman fountains are built entirely on pomp, as we have seen in other monumental architectures of the city. It symbolizes the divine power of the person who made it. Trajan's Fountain is one of the most famous fountains in Rome.

Curetes Street

It is one of the most important streets where famous ceremonies are held. Sacrifices were passed here, and people used to perform their holiday ceremonies on this street. The street is truly magnificent. The street, which is covered with marble, is 8 meters wide. On the right and left of the street, there are milkmaids, porticoes and shops at the back of these porticoes. In ancient times, there was a statue in front of each column. Today, only remnants of them remain.

Hadrian's Temple Gate

Hadrian's Temple was thought to be on Curetes Street for a long time. However, according to the latest findings, the Temple of Hadrian was built in a region close to the port, A.D. It was built in the 2nd century. However, M.S. It is known that the building, which was the entrance to the sanctuary of Hadrian's Temple in the 5th century, was moved to this street, that is, to its current location.

Slope Houses Noble Apartment

The flat consists of rooms and has wide and narrow units. But the walls are decorated with extremely eye-catching wall decorations and frescoes. There are partridges and lions, pigeons, idols they believe in and mythological creatures that are very famous for that day.

Arcadium (Harbour) Street

The street, which was repaired and maintained by Emperor Arcadianus, is 530 meters long and 11 meters wide. Under the street, which is almost entirely covered with marble, sewage channels pass through. These canals also extend to the port. This was the main street where the heart of the city beat, that is, the point connecting the upper city to the lower city.

Celsus Library

While there are 700 thousand works in the Library of Alexandria, the Celsus Library, which is estimated to have 12 thousand works, is before you in all its glory. In fact, it was built as a mausoleum, but it attracts attention because it is the strongest structure that has survived from Ephesus.

Where is Ephesus Ancient City?

Ephesus is located in the Selçuk district of İzmir. It is one of the first touristic centers that come to mind when the Aegean is mentioned. It has survived from the ancient Greeks to the present day. The Ancient City of Ephesus is flooded by both domestic and foreign tourists every year.