Ephesus

Ephesus was an ancient Greek city on the west coast of Anatolia, near present-day Selçuk, Izmir Province, Turkey. It was one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League during the Classical Greek era. In the Roman period, it was for many years the second largest city of the Roman Empire; ranking behind Rome, the empire's capital. Ephesus had a population of more than 250,000 in the 1st century BC, which also made it the second largest city in the world. Ephesus was one of the seven churches of Asia that are cited in the Book of Revelation. The Gospel of John may have been written here. The city was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BCE), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Temple was destroyed in 401 CE by a mob led by St. John.Emperor Constantine I rebuilt much of the city and erected new public baths. The town was again partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614.

Guess what this is

It's where the Roman elites used to sit and chat - the common lavatory. It seems that in winter when the marbles became extremely cold, slaves were used to warm up the seats before their masters sat on them. A more plausible method, however, was the diverting of hot spring water used in the communal bath to flush away the waste and this helped to warm up the place and the seats.

Temple of Hadrian

This attractive Roman imperial temple was constructed in 118 AD and reconstructed in the fifth century. Its tympanum bears an interesting frieze that may depict Medusa. This was to discourage pilfering of the temple treasures.

The homes of the Roman elites

Look at how well preserved these intricate mosaics are. These well-preserved dwellings provide an important window into the lifestyles of the Ephesian elite in Roman and Byzantine times.

This plant when dried was used as torches in ancient time.

The Marble Street

Once lined with shops and inns, Curetes Street was a main city street and an important processional route in the cult of Artemis.

Library of Celcus

The facade of the Library of Celsus is one of the most spectacular sights in Ephesus. Built by a Roman in memory of his father, it faces east so the reading rooms receive the morning light.

The Theater

One of the magnificent buildings of Ephesus is the Great Theater, largest in Asia Minor, which had a capacity of more than 24.000 people and is in a rather well preserved condition. The construction had started during the Hellenistic period but it could only be completed during the time of Trajan (98-117 A.D.).

This magnificent classical theater is considered an important biblical site: the probable place where Paul preached to the pagans in Acts. It is still in use and can seat thousands. St. Paul was dragged into this theater to face the crowd because of his famous letter to Ephesians, but rescued by the security corps of the city. Festivals are celebrated in this theater today

House of Virgin Mary

On Bulbul Dag (Nightingale mountain) there is the House of the Virgin where it's believed that she passed last years of her life and died. She came to Ephesus together with St. John and taken up to Panaghia Kapulu mountain to survive the Roman persecutions. The House was destroyed by many earthquakes and not discovered until 1951 thanks to a German Nun Catherine Emmerich who saw its location in her visions. It is recognized as a shrine by Vatican. Now the House of Virgin Mary is renovated by George Quatman Foundation from Ohio and serves as a small church which attracts many Christians as well as Muslims coming to pray for Her. The Mass is held here every Sunday. On 15th August 2000 there was a great ceremony for the Assumption of the Virgin.