The ancient city of Ephesus in Turkey photo history how to get there visit the city of Ephesus on your own. The ancient city of Ephesus - history and main attractions Russian language city of Ephesus

If you have long dreamed of visiting the ruins of an ancient metropolis and feeling the ancient atmosphere, then it’s time to go to the historical complex of Ephesus, Turkey. The unique city-museum, listed as a UNESCO heritage site, annually attracts travelers from all over the world. The Temple of Artemis, the Library of Celsus, the House of the Virgin Mary are just a small part of what awaits you in this cradle of antiquity. What Ephesus is and what attractions are located on its territory, we consider in our article.

General information

The ancient city of Ephesus is located in western Turkey, 7 km from the coast of the Aegean Sea and 80 km south of Izmir. It is a historical complex of ancient buildings spread over an area of ​​4.15 square meters. km. For the most part, Ephesus gained fame thanks to the cult of the fertility goddess Artemis, in whose honor a temple was built in the city, later ranked as one of the seven wonders of the world.

Today, the closest settlements to Ephesus are the town of Selcuk, located 3 km to the east, and the resort of Kusadasi, located 17 km to the southwest. The historical complex is considered one of the most valuable attractions in Turkey, visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. And to make your acquaintance with Ephesus more exciting and educational, let’s take a moment to plunge into its rich history.

Historical reference

Artemis of Ephesus

The ancient city of Ephesus in Turkey is located on territory where the first settlements appeared in the Neolithic era, i.e. around the ninth millennium BC. The metropolis itself was founded in the 10th century BC. According to legend, its creator was the son of the Athenian ruler Androcles, who fell in love during urban planning with an Amazon from the local tribes named Ephesia. In her honor, as the legend says, the city was named. It is noteworthy that initially Ephesus was located on the shores of the Aegean Sea, but over the centuries the coast dried up, and the ancient metropolis itself went deep into the mainland.

Alexander the Great

Thanks to its geographical location, Ephesus quickly became an important port and trade center, becoming a real tasty morsel for conquerors from different parts of the world. In the 6th century BC. the Lydians ruled here, later overthrown by the Persians, who in turn were ousted by the troops of Alexander the Great. During the heyday of the Roman Empire, the city passed to the Romans and was under their protection until the middle of the 3rd century, when the Goths invaded and plundered Ephesus, leading it to absolute decline.

It was possible to restore the glorious city during the period of Byzantine rule. At the turn of the 5th-6th centuries. Ephesus became the second most important metropolis of the empire after Constantinople. The Byzantines rebuilt the city and actively used it for trade purposes. But in the 7th century, the coast of Ephesus began to dry out and gradually filled with silt, which led to the loss of access to the Aegean Sea. As a result, trade completely disappeared, and the city itself lost all significance for the Byzantine Empire.

Isa Bey Mosque

During the rise of the Ottoman Empire, Ephesus briefly regained its status as a thriving metropolis. The Seljuks who came here built new baths, mosques and caravanserais on the territory. However, in the 15th century, the nearby city of Ayasoluk (modern Selçuk) assumed greater importance for the Ottomans, and Ephesus was finally abandoned.

What can be seen on the territory of Ephesus today

Even with a fleeting glance at photos of the sights of Ephesus in Turkey, you can understand the scale of this historical complex. In addition to the well-known Temple of Artemis, there are unique monuments of antiquity here, many of which have been preserved in excellent condition. What can you see on the territory of modern Ephesus?

Temple of Artemis

Of course, we will begin our description with one of the seven wonders of the world in Ephesus, the Temple of Artemis, from which today, unfortunately, practically nothing remains. The structure was erected in the 6th century BC. in honor of the goddess of fertility and patroness of all life on earth - Artemis. It took about 120 years to build the temple. In those distant times, it was a majestic structure with 127 columns, each 18 m in height. The length of the temple reached 110 m, and the width - 55 m.

However, this wonder of the world was not destined to live long. Already in the 4th century BC. A madman named Herostratus set fire to the Temple of Artemis. As a result, the main part of the structure burned down, of which only the columns remained. Later, Herostratus explained his action by the desire to write himself into the annals of history, after which he was executed, and his name was forbidden to be mentioned in chronicles. During his reign, Alexander the Great tried to restore the temple, but it was soon destroyed by the Goths, and subsequently the sanctuary of Artemis finally fell into disrepair.

Modern photographs of the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus confirm the fact that it was built on a swamp. That is why the building literally disappeared from the face of the earth, drowning in the abyss over the centuries. Today, all that remains of the building is one dilapidated column, bored in the middle of the swamp, and a couple of stone blocks in the area. A miniature copy of the Temple of Artemis can be seen in the Istanbul miniature park, but it is unlikely to be able to at least partially convey the grandeur of the structure that has sunk into oblivion.

House of the Virgin Mary

In addition to the Temple of Artemis, Ephesus is home to another historically important landmark - the House of the Virgin Mary. According to the Catholic version, after the ascension of Christ, the Mother of God remained to live in Jerusalem, where she preached Christianity. But there is another version, which says that the Virgin Mary spent her last years of life (about 9 years) in Ephesus. Such information arose as a result of testimonies from a number of local residents, as well as on the basis of a vision that appeared to the German nun A. K. Emmerich at the end of the 19th century.

Today, the house of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus is a miniature building, inside of which a small basement has been preserved. In the middle of the last century, the building was renovated, and within its walls there was a chapel where believers from all over the world come to pray. Despite the fact that the Catholic Church officially rejects the version that the Mother of God lived in Ephesus, three Popes have already visited here over the past half century.

After visiting the house of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus, be sure to check out the Bolshoi Theater and the Odeon, which have reached us in excellent condition. The grandiose three-tier structure in the form of an ancient Roman amphitheater once accommodated up to 25 thousand spectators, and its upper rows were at a height of 30 m. Today, the height of the building reaches only 18 m, and in total there are 66 rows. In ancient times, the stage of the theater was decorated with carved columns and skillful sculptures, which, unfortunately, have not survived to this day.

Odeon

In Ephesus there is another theater of a much smaller scale, but no less interesting - the Odeon. It is designed for 1,500 seats and is a two-tier semicircular structure, divided into four sections, cut off from each other by staircases. Typically, in ancient times, buildings of this type were used for singing events, but this theater primarily served for meetings of the Senate, during the breaks between which theatrical performances were held here.

Among the attractions of Ephesus, the ruins of an outstanding architectural monument from the era of the Roman Empire deserve special attention. This is the Library of Celsus, built in the early 2nd century during the heyday of Rome. The author of the structure was the architect Tiberius Julius Aquila, who named it in honor of the highly educated statesman Celsus, who was his father. The library was not only a repository for more than 12 thousand scrolls, but also the tomb of Celsus himself. During excavations carried out in Ephesus at the beginning of the 20th century, archaeologists managed to find a marble tomb containing the remains of a once famous Roman.

But, like the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, the Library of Celsus did not survive to this day due to the invasion of the merciless Goths, who burned the building almost to the ground. Only the façade remained of the building, but it was also destroyed as a result of an earthquake during the Byzantine Empire. The remains of the library that we see today are only a reconstruction of the building, which was reconstructed from the surviving ruins. Currently, here you can see a two-story facade with columns, the space between which is decorated with four sculptures of women symbolizing Virtue, Wisdom, Knowledge and Thought. But these statues are only copies, and the originals are now kept in the Vienna Museum.

Other attractions

Among other attractions of Ephesus in Turkey it is worth highlighting:

Temple of Hadrian

• Basilica of St. John the Evangelist, built in Byzantine times
• The ruins of the ancient Agora - a market square once decorated with colonnades
• Temple of Domitian, in ancient times decorated with 21 columns and sculptures, of which only ruins remain today
• Terraced houses are the former homes of wealthy townspeople: their peculiarity was that each house served as a terrace for the next; Many buildings still have frescoes and mosaic floors.
• Temple of Hadrian, built in honor of the Roman emperor and at one time decorated with colonnades, arches and sculptures of other rulers
• Kuretov Street, once paved with marble and decorated with statues and columns

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Opening hours and ticket prices

The historical site of Ephesus in Turkey is open daily. From April 15 to October 2, the attraction is open from 8:00 to 18:30, from October 3 to April 14 - from 8:00 to 17:00. The entrance ticket price in 2018 is 10 $ (40 TL). If you are a museum card holder, admission is free.

A visit to the terraced houses, St. John's Basilica and the Archaeological Museum is paid separately: the ticket price, depending on the attraction, ranges from 2 to 3 $ (5-10 TL). You can also purchase an audio guide in Russian for $5 (20 TL). Entrance tickets are sold at ticket offices and self-service terminals.

Gate of Hercules

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How to get to Ephesus

The most convenient way to get to the city of Ephesus in Turkey is from nearby settlements - the towns of Selcuk and Kusadasi. Ephesus is located 3 km west of Selcuk, and can be reached by dolmus from the city bus station. Travel time takes no more than 10 minutes. The cost of the trip is $0.6 (2.5 TL).

If you are staying in Turkey at the resort of Kusadasi, located 17 km southeast of Ephesus, then the road to the complex will take you about half an hour. You can get to the ancient city by dolmus, following the Kusadasi-Selcuk route, which departs from the city bus station several times an hour. The fare is 1.2 $ (5 TL). In this case, you need to warn the driver that you are going to Ephesus, and get off the dolmus at the turn with the sign “Efes”. Next, you just have to cover 1 km along a straight road to the complex.

Of course, you can get to the ancient city by taxi, rented car, or book a tour with a guide. But all these options are much more expensive. Although only you can decide which ways to get to the city of Ephesus, Turkey will be most suitable for you.

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• Last minute tours to Turkey

The ancient city of Ephesus is one of the most popular attractions in Turkey; in terms of the number of guests it is surpassed only by Istanbul's Sultanahmet. Ephesus is a museum city located next to Selcuk, once a tiny farming village and now a major tourist destination. The archaeological complex attracts travelers with its antiquity and very good preservation. True, there are almost always a lot of tourists here, but the place is definitely worth a visit.

The museum's territory is not very large; a visit usually takes two to three hours. But be sure to take water with you, since drinking water taps are located at the entrances, and you can only buy drinks outside the complex.

You can enter the museum through two entrances: upper and lower, and there are ticket offices next to each of them. It is better to choose the road that goes from top to bottom.

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How to get to Ephesus

Tourists coming to Ephesus usually stay in Selcuk, which is most easily accessible from Izmir. You can take a bus from the bus station; the transport is not very comfortable and crowded, but is usually air-conditioned. Travel time is 40 minutes, the ticket costs 9 TRY, you buy it from the driver. The main bus carrier on this route is Metro, the schedule can be found at the office. website (in English).

There are also trains to Selcuk from Izmir Basmane station. They charge 4.75 TRY for a ticket, but you will have to spend 1.5 hours on the road. More detailed information is provided at the office. Turkish Railways website (in English).

The train makes a stop at Izmir airport, so if you wish, you can immediately go towards Ephesus without stopping at the resort.

Another way is by rented car or taxi. The distance from Izmir to Selcuk is a little less than 80 km, the roads are good, there is a toll section costing 2.5 TRY. A taxi ride will cost about 250 TRY. Prices on the page are for October 2018.

From Selcuk to Ephesus

Most travelers walk to the museum, which is only 3 km away, but you can take a taxi. It will cost about 15 TRY, the car will drive right to the top entrance. For those who travel by car, it will be more convenient to stop near the lower gate, there is a large parking lot there. Tourist buses arrive there too.

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Transport

Since Ephesus is an archaeological museum, you can only move around it on foot. The territory is small, but in some places difficult to navigate, so it is important to take care of comfortable shoes. But there are taxis actively driving around the complex: they offer a ride to the upper entrance, return back “to the city” or show you other attractions. They work according to the counter, but it is important to ensure that it is reset to zero. They charge about 2 TRY per kilometer plus 4-5 TRY for landing.

Another popular type of transport in Selcuk is dolmushi - something like our minibuses that run between cities, but stop where the passenger needs. The journey costs 3-5 TRY.

Some tourists rent bicycles to get around the city and get to Ephesus (bikes are not allowed into the museum grounds). Renting costs 18-20 TRY per day, it is better to take a mountain model, since the area around is very mountainous.

Communications and Wi-Fi

Turkey's three leading mobile operators are Turkcell, Avia and Vodafone. Travelers usually choose the first one as it has the widest coverage area. Although the other two also work well. SIM cards are sold with certain service packages, which already include calls, SMS, and mobile Internet. The average package price is 25-50 TRY.

Many tourists have heard that when traveling to Turkey, your phone needs to be registered. This only applies to those who plan to spend more than 30 days in the country. They must pay a fee of 115 TRY and register.

Wi-Fi is available in many hotels and restaurants, and has occasionally begun to appear in other public places. Sometimes connection requires payment, but most often a password is enough. True, the signal can be extremely unstable. There is no Internet on the territory of the archaeological complex of ancient Ephesus.

Hotels

The small town of Selcuk has over a hundred accommodation options, from cheap guest houses to luxury hotels. The most modest room for two can be rented for even 50 TRY. In mid-price hotels (2-3*), a room will cost 100-200 TRY per day. And truly royal conditions will cost about 400 TRY per night.

Almost always, the owners offer breakfast and excursion programs for an additional fee. Many guest houses and hotels offer bicycle rentals. But there are no classic hostels in the vicinity of Ephesus, as well as well-equipped camping areas.

What to bring from Ephesus

Near both entrances to Ephesus, tourists are greeted by shops that sell all the classic Turkish souvenirs: from glass “eyes” to carpets and copper utensils, as well as colored lamps, ceramics, hookahs, inlaid chess and much more. Oriental sweets, for example, the famous Turkish delight, assortments of herbs and spices, will be a good gift for friends and family.

Those who are looking for something special from Ephesus can pay attention to magnets and other souvenirs depicting the ancient city, books and albums, as well as very impressive jewelry from a local store: all taxis and buses are sure to pass by it.

On the territory of the museum itself there are people offering tourists to buy finds from archaeological excavations second-hand. There is no need to do this, since at best they are scammers selling counterfeits. And in the worst case, that is, when buying real antiquities, you will have problems with the police. By law, it is prohibited to buy and export from the country anything that can be considered a museum value.

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Cuisine and restaurants

In Ephesus itself there are no cafes or hotels where you can have a snack, so it is best to take food with you. In Selcuk (even on the outskirts closest to Ephesus) there are many different establishments: from expensive restaurants to fast food.

The most common and cheapest snack is kebab; it is sold in kebabchi stalls. The so-called “denerji” also offer lamb, but with bread and sometimes a side dish. Both there and there you can have a snack for 3-5 TRY. “Pideji” are small restaurants where they prepare flatbreads with a variety of fillings (usually also meat), for 5-7 TRY. Locals usually eat in simple lokanta restaurants, but tourists can join them too. It's inexpensive and very tasty here. Lunch per person will cost approximately 25-30 TRY. In fine restaurants, prices are much higher - here you will have to pay from 50 TRY for dinner.

The cuisine in these places is heavy, but tasty. Almost all main dishes are prepared from lamb or chicken. It is worth trying manti, dumplings and special cutlets - “kefte”. Fish is very popular, and fresh vegetables, stewed beans or zucchini are usually used as a side dish. Among the sweets, pakhvala and halva are invariably favorites.

The best photos of Ephesus

Entertainment and attractions of Ephesus

Ephesus is the largest archaeological site in the eastern Mediterranean, with finds dating back to the Roman period. Scientists estimate that only 15% of the ancient city has been excavated, giving an idea of ​​its splendor.

The most beautiful buildings include the one built in 117 AD. e. the library of Celsus, which was a kind of monumental tomb for Tiberius Julius Celsus, who served as governor of the province of Asia in the Roman Empire and was buried in a sarcophagus under the basement of the building. The construction of the tomb, the entrance of which was decorated with two statues of Athena, the goddess of wisdom, was a gift to Tiberius from his son Gaius Julius Aquila. At one time, the library housed more than 12,000 handwritten scrolls - some were placed in cabinets and wall niches, while other, more valuable copies were kept behind double walls behind the cabinets to protect them from temperature and humidity changes.

The Library of Celsius was considered the richest in ancient times after the libraries in Alexandria and Pergamon.

The Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is represented only by an inconspicuous column discovered during archaeological excavations carried out by the British Museum in 1870. Some fragments of the frieze and other small finds discovered at the site of the temple are now kept in the British Museum in London and Archaeological Museum in Istanbul.

The Odeon was a small indoor theater built by Publius Vedius Antony and his wife around 150 AD. e. A small venue for performances and concerts could accommodate up to 1,500 people. There were 22 steps of stairs leading to the theater, and its upper part was decorated with red granite pillars made in the Corinthian style. There were entrances on both sides of the stage.

Temple of Hadrian, dating from the 2nd century AD. BC, dedicated to Emperor Hadrian, who visited Ephesus in 128. The facade of one of the most beautiful and well-preserved buildings in Ephesus is decorated with 4 Corinthian columns supported by a curved arch, in the center of which is depicted Tyche, the goddess of chance and luck. This temple was depicted on the back of the 20 million Turkish lira banknote from 2001-2005. and the new banknote 2005-2009. The Temple of Domitian was one of the largest temples in the city.

The Temple of Artemis is one of the seven wonders of the world.

With a capacity of up to 44 thousand seats and an open-air location, the Ephesus Theater is the largest of its kind in the ancient world. Its construction dates back to the Hellenistic period during the reign of Lysimachus (3rd century BC). During the Roman period, the theater was used not only for concerts and plays, but also for religious, political and philosophical discussions, as well as bull and gladiator fights.

Other attractions: the Agora portico, the Temple of Hestia, the Gate of Hercules, an ensemble of houses with mosaic floors and wall frescoes (“Houses on the Hillside”), the Prytanaeum office building and a local brothel with a road sign to it.

Neighborhood

Not far from Ephesus are the ruins of the Basilica of St. John, built in the 4th century AD. e. According to legend, at this place there is the grave of the apostle, around which a religious building gradually arose. In the 14th century there was a mosque here, and then an earthquake caused serious damage to the building.

Ephesus is called the city of the “seven sleepers”, they were young Christians who were persecuted because of their faith in God. According to legend, they were walled up in a cave where the men slept for more than two centuries, and when they emerged from captivity, it turned out that Christianity had become the dominant religion. The cave is located a kilometer from the ancient city and is still considered a place of worship for Catholics and Orthodox Christians, but now you cannot enter it, you are only allowed to watch from the side.

About 9 km from Ephesus there are the remains of a house where, according to legend, the Virgin Mary lived after the death of Christ. It was once a two-story stone structure, which even today is considered a typical example of Roman architecture. Visitors can explore the central part and the room to the right. In addition, next to the house there is a spring of the Virgin Mary; people believe that the water in it has healing properties.

Another interesting place located in Selcuk, but directly connected with Ephesus, is the Ephesus Museum. It presents authentic archaeological finds discovered in the city and tombs. The most famous exhibits are the figurine of Eros on a dolphin and the room of Artemis.

4 things to do in Ephesus

1. Visit the ruins of one of the seven wonders of the world - the Temple of Artemis.
2. Admire the majestic Library of Celsus.
3. Sit down on the steps of an ancient Greek theater and watch a performance by modern musicians or actors in an ancient setting.
4. Get acquainted with the Christian shrine - the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which became the first temple in history dedicated to the Mother of God.

Weather

Ephesus is characterized by hot, dry and even muggy days in the summer and cool, very damp winters. During the warm half of the year there is practically no rain; this is the best time to come here for sightseeing. Although in the height of summer it can be too hot at archaeological sites, so it is better to choose the spring or autumn months.

If you want to explore ancient monuments without crowds of tourists, you can come in winter. The temperature at this time is almost never below zero, but it rains periodically.

Legend about the founding of the city

During excavations in recent years, settlements of the Early Bronze Age were found near Ayazuluk Hill. In 1954, not far from the ruins of the Basilica of St. John, a cemetery from the Mycenaean era (1500-1400 BC) was found. Among the finds were ceramics.

Judging by Hittite sources, the city was called Apasha (Apasa), from where the later "Ephesus" comes, and was briefly the capital of the confederation or kingdom of Arzawa, hostile to the Hittites and allied to the Achaeans.

During the Post-Hittite Bronze Age, Ephesus was the capital of a small Carian state, then settled by Ionian Greeks from Athens.

Hellenic period

In the 10th century BC. e. A Greek colony was founded on Ayazuluk Hill, three kilometers from the center of ancient Ephesus, as confirmed by excavations in the 1990s at Selcuk Castle. Around 650 BC. e. Ephesus was attacked and destroyed by the Cimmerians. The Temple of Artemis was also destroyed. The Ephesus Archaeological Museum contains several Cimmerian finds.

After the expulsion of the Cimmerians, tyranny established in the city. The following tyrants from the Basilid family (sometimes called kings) are known:

• Melas I - married to King Lydia's sister Gyges
• Miletus - married to the king's sister Lydia Sadiatta
• Pythagoras - briefly seized power around 600 BC. e. and apparently did not belong to the Basilid family
• Melas II - married to King Lydia's daughter Aliatta III
• Pindar - son of Melas II, ruled until the conquest of the city by the Lydian king Croesus (c. 560 BC)
• Melas III - son of Pindar, protege of the Lydian king Croesus, reigned until 555 BC. e.
• Aristarchus - reigned from 555 BC. e.
• Athenagoras - ruled as a vassal of the Persians
• Comas - ruled as a vassal of the Persians
• Melancom - ruled as a vassal of the Persians, con. V century BC e.

Periodically, during uprisings, the city tried to free itself from tyranny and power passed to a council called Curet. The city flourished, and the work of such notable people as Callinus (elegiac poet), Hipponax (satirist), Heraclitus (philosopher), Parrhasius (painter), Zenodotus (philologist and poet), physicists Soranus of Ephesus and Rufus dates back to this time.

In 394 BC. e. The Ephesians took part in the campaign of Conon, who overthrew the hegemony of Sparta. According to the Antalcidian world in 387 BC. e. Ephesus again recognized the power of Persia. The city then fell under the rule of the tyrant Sirfax.

The revolt in Ephesus, which began after the treacherous murder of Agathocles, son of Lysimachus, gave Seleucus I Nicator, another general of Alexander the Great and founder of the Seleucid dynasty, the chance to eliminate his rival and subjugate Asia Minor. Lysimachus died at the Battle of Kouroupedion in 281 BC. e., after which the city became part of the Seleucid state and again began to be called Ephesus. However, already in 263 BC. e. Ephesus was captured by Pharaoh Ptolemy III and until 197 BC. e. was under Egyptian rule.

Christianity in Ephesus

Since the 50s AD. e. Ephesus is an important center of early Christianity. In 52-54. The Apostle Paul lived here, engaged in missionary work. The Apostle John also lived here, and perhaps it was here that he wrote his Gospel. He is buried in the church named after him [ source?] . Ephesus was also one of the seven cities mentioned in the Revelation of John the Theologian (2:1). The Apostle John could not be buried in Ephesus, since he spent the last days of his life in exile on the island of Patmos, where, according to legend, he was buried alive, and when the grave was dug up a few days later, his body was not found.

According to some medieval legends, the Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, lived her last years in this city. The world's first church, consecrated in the name of the Mother of God, was built here. The stories about the seven sleeping youths and the life of Lazarus of Galicia are associated with this area.

A council was convened at Ephesus in 431 to decide whether Jesus was only divine or also human. “On this issue the church split: roughly speaking, the bishops east of Suez supported Nestorius, and the bishops west of Suez supported St. Cyril... The Western bishops appeared first, locked the doors for latecomers and hastily made a decision in favor of St. Kirill, who presided over the meetings of the council. "Third Ecumenical Council

House of the Virgin Mary

During His crucifixion, Jesus Christ commanded His Mother to take care of John as her own son, and John to take care of Mary as her own mother. Since the apostles divided the territories among themselves for the spread of Christianity, and the territory of Asia Minor went to John, he settled the Virgin Mary in Ephesus, where She lived the last years of her life.

Currently, in this area (7 km from the city) there is a small church, which is a place of pilgrimage for Christians. Muslims in these places also treat it with deep respect as a shrine. A spring has also been preserved, the water from which is healing. Near it there is a wish wall, where everyone can make a wish by attaching a knot of any material to specially installed bars.

Population

5,000 people ± 200 people.

Notable residents and natives:

• Kallin (elegiac poet)
• Hipponax (satirist)
• Heraclitus (philosopher)
• Parrhasius (artist)
• Zenodotus (philologist and poet)

Attractions

There are many archaeological sites preserved in Ephesus. The city is especially rich in monuments from the Roman era; among the cities of the eastern Mediterranean there are the most of them. Not everything has been excavated yet, but what can be seen gives some idea of ​​the former splendor of the city.

Celsus Library

Celsus Library

Odeon

The semicircular structure, also known as the Small Theater, stands on the hillside, north of the Agora. Judging by the inscription, it was built in 150 AD. e. Publius Vedius Antony. The original purpose of the odeon was the bouleuterium - the meeting place of the city Senate. The first indoor building, designed for 1,400 seats, was used alternately: either for meetings of the Senate or for theatrical performances. The architectural design of the odeon is similar to classical models:

• the auditorium with its two-tiered semicircle of rows, divided into four main sectors by staircases;
• the design of the proscenium suggests that the structure was intended for meetings of the Senate rather than for theatrical performances.

Agora

The ruins of the Agora are Romanesque structures from the Roman Empire period, most likely built during the reigns of the emperors Augustus and Claudius. The agora, which was finally built up under Theodosius (IV century), was decorated with a double colonnade of a portico, under which shopping arcades were located. It was a center of trading activity, where merchants from all over the Empire gathered. There was also a slave market and meetings were held on occasions of religious and secular holidays. To the north of the Agora are the ruins of the colonnade of the Basilica, built during the dynasty of the Augustan emperors.

Theater

Theater ruins

In fact, this is, apparently, just the favorite legend (“fable”) of all tour guides. It is unlikely, according to historians, that it was a brothel; most likely, just the house of rich townspeople. And also the fact that in one of its rooms there are portraits of a man and a woman (ostensibly speaking about the occupation in this house), is not necessarily a symbol of a brothel, since in rich houses such an image was always present, namely portraits of the owners. The small rooms referred to in the legends are also not necessarily lovemaking rooms, since they are actually the standard size for such rich houses. Also in this house were found figurines of the god of fertility (with a large reproductive organ) and this, too, according to many guides, is evidence that this building was a brothel. But again, historians say that many matrimonial bedrooms of that period were decorated with such figurines.

Kuretov Street

Gate of Hercules

At a certain time, the prytane chewed opium, and, drunk and dancing, they walked from the prytane to the Temple of Artemis. If at this time the clergyman was noticed by a criminal who was being taken to execution, then he was released.

Temple of Artemis

Ruins of the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus

Only one inconspicuous column survived from the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The column was found during archaeological excavations carried out by the British Museum in the 1870s. Minor fragments of the frieze and several other small finds are partly in the British Museum, partly in the Istanbul Archaeological Museum.

Notes

Links

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Hilt- the oldest city in the world and one of the most famous centers of worship of Artemis. Ephesus is the most visited. This is one of those places in modern Turkey where you can feel all the beauty and grandeur of the historical heritage of the world.

The Apostle Paul lived and preached here, and perhaps the Apostle John wrote his Gospel here, who is buried in Ephesus in the church of the same name. According to ancient legends, the mother of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, spent the last years of her life in Ephesus.

A city that is definitely worth a visit if you come to Turkey on vacation is the ancient city of Ephesus. Ephesus is Turkey's most visited attraction and the second most important ancient city in the Mediterranean after Pompeii in Italy.

Ephesus city in Turkey famous throughout the world thanks to one of the seven wonders of the world.

Everything preserved in Ephesus dates back to the Greek and Roman periods of the city's history.

Ephesus is the largest ancient city that has survived to this day, and where the atmosphere of life of distant ancestors is fully felt. Located on the western coast of Asia Minor, second in importance after Pompeii.

The appearance of the city has changed little since those times; on the streets there are monuments and buildings whose analogues cannot be found in the world. Having visited the ancient city of Ephesus, you can immediately see a huge number of attractions. Ruins of the temple of the Roman emperor Hadrian, temple of Sirapis, the god of fertility, fountain of Emperor Trojan, ruins of the sanctuary of nymphs, ruins of baths, gymnasiums, legendary Celsus library, where, in a completely unknown way, about twelve thousand parchment scrolls have survived to this day.

Sasha Mitrakhovich 23.10.2015 13:58

Ephesus is an ancient city located on the western coast of Turkey, near the mouth of the Little Menderes River.

Travel independently to the ancient city of Ephesus

On one's own getting to the ancient city of Ephesus is not difficult if you come to the Aegean coast, to resorts such as Marmaris, Kusadasi or Bodrum. It is best to come to Selcuk and stay here for a couple of days to better see the sights of Ephesus, since it is impossible to do this in one day. Some monuments can be reached on foot; dolmushi and taxis run to all others from the bus station.

Unfortunately, going to Ephesus from Antalya or other Mediterranean resorts is quite far and expensive, you will have to leave early in the morning, and you will arrive back after midnight, you should think twice.

Ephesus on the map of Turkey:

Sasha Mitrakhovich 30.10.2015 16:59

According to ancient Greek mythology, one day, the son of the ruler of Athens, Androcles, received a task from the oracle. He was ordered to create a new city. Androcles himself had to find a place to build the city; according to the oracle, a boar, a fire and a fish would help him in this.

Having equipped the ship for long voyages, Androcles sailed along the shores of the Aegean Sea. Suddenly he saw fishermen frying fish on a fire. The flame was large and sparks were flying around. One spark hit the bushes and a wild boar jumped out. Seeing this, Androcles decided to build a city on this site.

During the construction of the city, Androcles met Ephesia, the leader of the Amazons. Having fallen in love with the beauty, he named the city in her honor.

Sasha Mitrakhovich 30.10.2015 18:50

The first settlements on the territory of Ephesus date back to the Neolithic period (early 9500 BC), as evidenced by excavations of the Arvalli and Cucurici mounds.

There are also settlements from the Early Bronze Age (beginning 3500 - 3300 BC), and more recently a cemetery was found that dates back to the Mycenaean era (1500 - 1400 BC).

The location was very convenient, there was always a good climate, convenient for agriculture, and Ephesus was always located at the intersection of sea and land trade routes.

Throughout the history of its existence, Ephesus has been repeatedly subjected to brutal raids, during which there was significant destruction, and was also influenced by various eras and cultures.

It was the Roman period that left a big imprint on Ephesus; quite a lot of architectural monuments have been preserved.

Arab robberies of the 7th - 8th centuries brought the city into severe decline, and by the beginning of the 14th century, only a small village remained from the majestic city and noisy port.

The successful life of the Greek city lasted about 500 years, after which it lost its independence and was always part of large empires, paying exorbitant taxes and incurring other duties. These were the Persian Empire, the Seleucid Empire and the Roman Republic.

Ephesus received its name from the Amazon Ephesus. The city was originally founded as a colony by Ionian Greeks from Athens approximately between the 16th and 11th centuries. BC e. aristocratic form of government in the 7th century. BC e. gave way to tyranny, and later the city was conquered by the ruler of Lydia, King Croesus, at which time Ephesus reached its highest prosperity.

The king invested in the construction of a huge temple of Artemis. In 546 BC. e. King Cyrus of Persia conquered Croesus and Ephesus accordingly became part of the Persian state. Subsequently, the city took part in the Greco-Persian wars. Around 470 BC. Ephesus became a free city and entered the Delian League.

After 386 BC the city was conquered by the Persians. 356 BC became the year of the burning, due to Herostratus’ manic desire to glorify his name, but thanks to Alexander the Great, who liberated Ephesus from Persian rule, the temple soon began to be rebuilt.

The ruler Lysimachus began to move the city to a new place, from a swampy valley to a mountain and built a new harbor, the fault of which was the epidemic that captured the city. Many residents did not want to move, and then the ruler cut off access to fresh water.

In 133 BC. Ephesus became part of the great Roman state, and in 88. BC. the city joined the anti-Roman uprising of the cities of Asia Minor, but after two years Ephesus returned to the rule of Rome, and two years later the inhabitants were imposed a heavy tribute by Emperor Sulla.

After the civil war in Rome and the death of Caesar, Ephesus paid tribute in two directions, but under Augustus, Ephesus became the capital of the Roman Empire in Asia. It was the most beautiful and magnificent city of the Roman Empire, but already in 262 BC. it was destroyed by the Goths.

Ephesus was completely forgotten at the beginning of the Ottoman Empire. The main reason was that the city ceased to exist as a port, people left the city and the bright star of Ephesus faded.

Ephesus was remembered only at the end of the 19th century. English archaeologist Wood, dreaming of finding the Temple of Artemis. Revived the glory of a great ancient landmark for the city. The city was literally “pulled out” from underground; thanks to archaeologists, beautiful Ephesus again appeared on the map.

Sasha Mitrakhovich 30.10.2015 18:52

In Ephesus, the cult of Artemis, the goddess of fertility and hunting, the patroness of life, was very developed, in whose honor a huge temple was built, which was considered one of the wonders of the ancient world.

Thousands of people having problems with childbirth came to the temple to pray to the goddess. In the center of the temple stood a large statue of Artemis in the form of a “many-breasted” woman.

The temple measured 100 meters long and 50 meters wide, and its columns were 18 meters high.

The amphitheater was built during the reign of the Roman Empire. It was the largest amphitheater in the Roman province of Asia, of which Ephesus was the capital. It can accommodate 25,000 people, which is twice as much as the amphitheater in Hieropolis (Pamukkale) and three times more than the amphitheater in the city of Myra.

The construction of the theater took place in three stages, which is clearly visible in the photo. New floors were added as the city grew. There is also a small theater here, which is smaller in size and played a secondary role.

Temple of Hadrian

The Temple of Hadrian - was built in 135 AD and consists of two central columns that support an arch - this is all that was once preserved from the tympanum.

It was decorated with statues of the emperors Dicoletian, Maximian, Constantius Chlorus and Galere.

Also preserved in the center is a podium on which stood a statue dedicated to Emperor Hadrian.

Basilica of St. John

A little further is the Basilica of St. John, built in the 6th century. under Emperor Justinian I, where the tomb of the apostle was supposedly located. It is a cleared square area, along the edges of which there are four columns. In the middle of the square there is a small tombstone in the shape of a cross.

Marble Street

Marble Street leads to the Library of Celsus. The 400-meter-long marble street was built in the 5th century on the site of an older one. Along the street there were trading shops and statues on pedestals; under the street there is a developed sewage system.

Hillside houses

On the opposite side of the Temple of Hadrian there is an architectural complex called “Houses on the Hillside”, the front side faces Kuretov Street. These houses were mainly inhabited by the rich class of society, which is why there is another name, “Houses of the Rich”. All houses are located so that each house also serves as a terrace for the next house.

One of the most popular houses is the House of Perestil II, built back in the 1st century AD, richly decorated with decorations. Almost all rooms in the houses have mosaic floors and numerous frescoes for decoration.

Brothel

On the right side is located house of love which consists of many rooms. Supposedly it was a brothel, and mosaic paintings depict girls who once worked here. On one of the floors you can see an antique toilet.

An underground tunnel led from the library to the Brothel, supposedly so that husbands would deceive their wives, saying that they were going to the library, while they themselves secretly went to the Brothel. But many scientists do not agree with this; they argue that the Public Library was the residential building of a very rich family.

Kuretov Street

Street of Curetes - stretches along the Library of Celsius and the Gate of Hercules to the Agora.

The street acquired the appearance that has survived to this day during the 4th - 5th centuries, during reconstruction after a strong earthquake. It consists of paving made of marble and other natural stones, which combine perfectly with antique buildings.

On Mount Bulbul (at the entrance to the historical zone of Ephesus there are always taxi drivers offering to take you to the place) there is a house of the Virgin Mary. According to legend, before his death on the cross, Jesus bequeathed the care of his mother to St. John. St. John transported the Mother of God to his hometown of Ephesus and hid her at the foot of the mountain in a hut surrounded by dense forests, where she spent the last years of her life.

Another attraction associated with Ephesus is the Cave of the Seven Sleepers. According to legend, seven Christian youths escaped persecution during the reign of Emperor Diocletian (284-305) by hiding in a cave, where the Lord sent them to sleep. They woke up only two centuries later, when Christianity became the official religion. In the place where this miracle happened, after the death of the young people, a huge monument was erected, and the cave began to be called “the cave of the seven sleepers.”

Sasha Mitrakhovich 30.10.2015 19:37

Address: Türkiye
Based: 10th century BC
Destroyed: 15th century
Main attractions: Temple of Artemis, Library of Celsus, Bolshoi Theatre, Odeon (Maly Theatre), Temple of Hadrian, Kuretov Street
Coordinates: 37°56"24.3"N 27°20"29.8"E

The ancient Greek city of Ephesus - the same one where the temple of Artemis stood, destroyed by Herostratus in 356 BC - is located today on the Aegean coast of Turkey, between the cities of Izmir and Kusadasi.

Gate of Hercules

The ruins of ancient Ephesus are buried under an impenetrable swamp, and the part that has already been excavated is surrounded by a fence and is an open-air museum. Ephesus is one of the few cities where the structure of the ancient Greek settlement is perfectly preserved.

Walking along the ancient streets and viewing architectural monuments, a tourist can get an idea of ​​the former splendor of the Greek polis. The ruins of the Roman agora and the Small Theatre, baths, fountains and rich quarters of mansions impress travelers with their impressive size and artistry.

Kuretov Street

Ephesus - the city of the Amazon

Ephesia The Greek colony of Ephesus was founded in the 11th century BC. Legends connect the appearance of the city with the name of Androcles, the son of the Athenian ruler Codras. In those days, the Greeks, who were building a new polis, turned for advice to the Delphic Oracle, which indicated the location of the founding of the future colony. The oracle told Androcles that the city should be founded in those lands where three “signs” come together - fire, fish and boar. Traveling along the coast of the Aegean Sea, Androcles found such a place: on the shore of the bay, fishermen were frying fish, and sparks flying from the fire set fire to a tree, from which a disturbed boar ran out. Soon Androcles met the Amazon warriors, with one of whom, Ephesia, he fell in love and named the city in her honor - Ephesus.

Library of Celsus

The Rise and Fall of Ephesus

Ephesus developed rapidly thanks to trade, but it reached its greatest prosperity under the Lydian king Croesus in 560 - 546 BC. e. Interestingly, when the Lydians of Croesus invaded the city, the local residents did not have any defensive structures. They only connected the gates of Ephesus to the Temple of Artemis with a rope - this way, they believed, it would be easier for the goddess to protect them! Touched by such naivety, Croesus stopped the siege and even donated funds to the temple treasury. Later, Ephesus flourished under the rule of the Persians, it was part of the Roman Republic, Byzantium, the Ottoman Empire, and in the 15th century AD. fell into disrepair and was finally abandoned.

Bolshoi Theater from a bird's eye view

Ephesus - the center of early Christianity

In the 50s AD. Ephesus became one of the most important centers for the spread of Christianity. The Apostle Paul and John the Theologian preached here. According to legend, the Virgin Mary, the mother of I. Christ, spent the rest of her earthly life in this city. In Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary has been preserved - a small building with a basement where the Blessed Virgin lived out her last days.

In 1950, the building was reconstructed and rebuilt into a chapel. Although Jerusalem is traditionally considered the site of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and the Vatican has not officially recognized the shrine as the House of St. Mary, it was visited by popes Paul VI, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI. On August 15, the Day of the Ascension of Our Lady, especially many pilgrims, often of different religions, flock to the chapel.

Temple of Hadrian

A little higher up the mountain, above the main entrance to the Ephesus Archaeological Park, there are the catacombs and the “Seven Sleepers” grotto, where, according to legend, Christian martyrs were walled up alive, falling into a miraculous sleep for almost 200 years.

Sights of Ephesus

Many monuments have been excavated in Ephesus, and most of them date back to the Roman era. The upper part of Ephesus begins with the well-preserved Baths of Varius, to which ceramic pipes are connected. At the foot of the baths there was a Caldarium - a room where hot water flowed. Nearby is the Agora - the main square of Ephesus, where in past centuries brisk trade was in full swing, celebrations were held on occasions of religious and secular holidays.

Fountain of Troyan

To the north of the Agora are the ruins of a basilica from the dynasty of Emperor Augustus, and behind the basilica is the Small Odeon Theater (150 BC), from the upper rows of which there are amazing views of the baths of Varius and Prytanium - the meeting place of the municipality of Ephesus. Near Prytanium, in the Temple of Vesta (III century BC), a hearth for the sacred fire was discovered. Along the slope from the Gate of Hercules to the Agora stretches the Avenue of Curetes - the longest and most majestic street in all of Ephesus, decorated with columns, galleries, sculptures, fountains, and mosaics.

Odeon (Maly Theater)

Of particular interest to tourists are such monuments as the Temple of Hadrian (118-138 AD), the Bolshoi Theater (III-II centuries BC), the Library of Celsius (110-135 AD). ) and the Brothel connected to it by an underground passage - thus, the men of Ephesus could deceive their wives, saying that they were going to the library to read tomes. The Bolshoi Theater, which served as the arena for gladiator battles in the Roman era, still amazes the imagination. Its vaults can accommodate up to 25 thousand spectators, and thanks to the excellent acoustics, the speaker performing on stage can be clearly heard not only on the lower and upper tiers, but also outside the hall.

Ruins of the Temple of Artemis