Ancient City of Ephesus

The Ancient City of Ephesus started as a simple settlement in 8600 BC. It grew over the centuries and became one of the most important world capitals of its time. The city is very active because the Selçuk district, where İzmir was founded, is one of the most fertile lands in Anatolia, trade routes pass through here, and has a port that connects the east and west of the world.

It saw its golden age after joining the Roman Empire in 129 BC. It became the capital of the Province of Asia. During this period (2nd-1st century BC), Ephesus became one of the largest metropolises of its time with a population exceeding 200,000. The wealth accumulated in the city is also reflected in the architecture. It is possible to guess how impressive the city is from the splendor of the Library of Celsus, which is also on display.

The most famous structure of the city with its beauty is the Temple of Artemis, which was built by the Lydian king Creseus in 550 BC, before the city was conquered by the Romans, and is among the 7 wonders of the world. Unfortunately, only a few stone fragments remain from the temple today and a later joined column. It is thought that the Greek goddess Artemis is the continuation of the Anatolian fertility goddess Cybele and was synthesized into Greek culture.

Ephesus was home to people of many religions and races. Based on the atmosphere of tolerance here, St. John deals with MS. He brings his mother, Mary, whom he entrusted to him in 36 BC, to safety after Jesus' crucifixion in Jerusalem. Today, the house where the Virgin Mary lives is a place of pilgrimage visited by Christians from all over the world. St. Paul had worked hard to spread Christianity in Ephesus, he gave one of his famous sermons here.

Thanks to the conversion of many people to Christianity, Ephesus played an important role in the spread of religion. In 313 Christianity became the official religion of Rome. By 380, idolatry had

seemingly ended, as the Catholic faith was now imposed on the city's inhabitants.

Ephesus was looted many times, experienced earthquakes, changed hands, but it always continued. When the people fleeing the occupation of the Arabs evacuated the city with the establishment of other settlements, the city could not return to its old days.

For the settlement, which could not change its fate during the Seljuk and Ottoman periods, we can say that the next most active times in the Roman years were now due to the tourist buses that came every hour of the day. Below you will find suggestions and some useful information for your trip to the Ancient City of Ephesus.

founded BC. B.C. This noble city, which dates back to 6000 and was used as an active settlement from the Hellenistic period to the Roman, Byzantine (Eastern Roman), Principalities and Ottoman periods; Ephesus. Being an example of superior city planning for centuries, being a commercial center of great importance, being a cradle of cultures as an inevitable result of hosting civilizations with very rich cultures for thousands of years, Christianity's acceptance as a pilgrimage center and a religious center for centuries. with its feature; I think it would not be wrong to say that Ephesus is not a part of history, but history itself.

Information for Visiting the Ancient City of Ephesus

When to go ?

You can easily visit Ephesus all year round. According to you, the best time for you is the month of May due to the greening of nature. Most visitors come in the summer, but in the heat of Izmir, visiting Ephesus can be challenging.If you're coming in the summer, it's best to be here when the doors first open. You will both be comfortable in terms of warmth and take photos comfortably without crow