Ephesus is the ancient city of Artemis in Turkey. The city of Ephesus in Turkey. Temple of Artemis at Ephesus. House of the Virgin Mary.
The ruins of the ancient ancient city of Ephesus are one of the most popular attractions in Turkey and invariably attract a sea of tourists. This monument is located on the western coast of Turkey, near the small town of Selcuk.
As early as the second century BC. there was a city here, and the city of Ephesus itself was once built here as a port. The city reached its greatest prosperity during the Roman Empire - it was the second most important city after Rome. Subsequently, the sea moved to the west, the importance of the city fell sharply and it fell into disrepair.
Ephesus covers about 10 square kilometers, but most of its treasures are hidden in impenetrable swamps. But even what is on the surface is more than enough to spend a whole day here. Archaeological research into the ancient settlement began in 1869 by English scientists and continues to this day.
Ephesus is one of the few ancient cities that you can walk through today. Just walk along its streets, looking at the architectural structures of past centuries, dilapidated, excavated by archaeologists, and again presented to the world as proof of the boundlessness of human imagination. Changing cultures and religions, people, as a rule, destroyed everything that came to their hands, not caring at all about what their descendants would think. And we regret what was lost and try to imagine in our imagination what has not been preserved - the facades of houses richly decorated with stucco, the brightness and pretentiousness of the patterns of mosaic coverings, the grandeur of temples, the vaults of which soar on numerous rows of marble columns...
A long time ago, during the period of the Great Colonization, when the Ionian Greeks actively developed the coasts of the Mediterranean, Black, Aegean, Marmara seas (and this was between the 16th and 11th centuries BC) - all those seas that wash the peninsula of Asia Minor, occupied today the amazing country of Turkey - at the confluence of the Kaistra River and the Aegean Sea, the new city of Afasa was founded - the City by the River. This was preceded by almost mystical events. At that time, a king named Codra ruled in Athens, and he had a son, Androcles. As you know, at all times and among all peoples, only God was higher than the king. And the Greeks had a whole pantheon of deities led by Zeus.
The kings received news from their invisible patrons through the clergy. So Androcles received an order from the Delphic oracle to found a new city on the coast of the Aegean Sea. Having gathered an army, Androcles immediately went to the lands where the Etruscans lived from time immemorial and among them a mysterious tribe of warriors, the Amazons, who were not inferior to men in the art of war and therefore lived separately, only occasionally allowing men into their huts so that the Amazon race could continue. The oracle told the son of Codrus where he should found a new city - where three symbols come together - fish, fire and wild boar. And Androcles found such a place. Already in despair, having explored the vast territory, he decided to return home without a quick slurp, when sparks flew from the fire on which they were frying fish before a long journey, they set the nearest bush on fire, and a wild boar jumped out of the bush.
The oracle's prediction came true! - the prince exclaimed and ordered to found a city on this place. Thus the will of the gods was fulfilled, and from that time the history of ancient Ephesus began.
The city at the foot of Mount Bulbul (modern name) is the second incarnation of the city of Androcles. It was built by one of the comrades of Alexander the Great, who conquered it, or, as they say, liberated it from Persian rule in 334 BC. The name of the new ruler of Ephesus was Lysimachus. Alexander the Great gave a truly royal gift to his warrior. There was one problem in Ephesus - the Kaistra River (or Little Menderes) tended to become swampy, which led to the appearance of a huge number of mosquitoes that carried diseases such as malaria. People died, but flatly refused to leave their homes. Then the wise Lysimachus forced them to do this - he ordered not to supply water to the city. Residents had no choice but to leave their homes and move away from the treacherous river.
The straight streets of the city, paved with marble and stones, descend down the mountain slope, and in the time of Lysimachus they led the traveler to the sea harbor, where numerous ships with goods landed. So the city developed due to extensive trade. But in the 3rd century BC there was a strong earthquake, as a result of which the sea receded, dropping 57 meters. This natural disaster, like the countless wars of conquest that weakened the once strong city, marked the beginning of the decline of Ephesus. Today ancient Ephesus is a dead city. But every day it comes to life again, filled with the multilingual speech of tourists walking along its streets. A vibrant crowd wanders along it from the eastern gate down the hill, listening to the entertaining stories of the guides and barely managing to capture all the sights during the two-hour excursion, clicking cameras left and right.
The first building that is certainly remembered by everyone without exception is the Odeon or Maly Theater. It is well preserved, although it was built in 150 AD and was intended for city council meetings. It is unlikely that the senators of Ephesus were dressed as colorfully as the people sitting on its bench steps today! Groups of tourists are located in close groups in all four sectors of the auditorium and listen, listen to the soulful speeches of the guides right under the hot sun, since the roof of the Odeon collapsed seventeen centuries ago. Now from the theater three hills made of brick are clearly visible, rising on high pedestals on the left hand of those sitting. Having a good imagination, you can imagine what their original form was and, imagining it, you will be surprised: these were statues of three powerful bulls, with their heads down, ready to attack anyone who stood in their way. The bull is still a symbol of the Turkish city of Selcuk, which occupies the territory of ancient Ephesus. By the way, modern residents of Turkey, which has united many ancient kingdoms within its borders, still like to erect monuments or sculptural compositions to animals, birds and even plants.
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So, in one of the cities on the way to Ephesus there is a monument to a fig - a fig tree in Greek - the same tree whose large openwork leaf covered Adam and Eve's nakedness. But the monument was not built in honor of biblical heroes, but because this sweet fruit, figs, is grown in these parts as the main agricultural crop. There is a monument to a rooster in the city of Denizli, also nearby. This bird saved the city from a fire that happened early in the morning, so early that the rooster was not yet in the mood for singing, but he sang, crowed and woke up the owner. And he, out of anger at the restless bird, decided to immediately cut off its head - he jumped out into the yard with an ax and... saw a fire.
In Ephesus, statues of people without heads are well preserved. Perhaps in those distant times they were made from some famous people or even the rulers of the city, but... their names were swallowed up by history. But the bulls are still recognizable! Opposite the theater is the Agora, or simply put, the market square. Not only did they trade there, they held general civic meetings there. That is, if you want to talk to the whole world, please go to the Agora, and if you want to whisper among yourself on all sorts of political topics, please go to the Odeon. But little remains of the Agora - openwork capitals from columns or parts of their trunks, randomly scattered on the ground.
Ephesus is such an ancient city that, along with the established facts of the purposes of dilapidated houses, the dates of the reign of this or that emperor, there are legends organically woven into the fabric of history. The very name of the city gave rise to one of them - a beautiful fairy tale about the queen of the warlike tribe of Amazons, who lived on these lands before the arrival of the Greeks. That Amazon's name was Ephesia, which means desired. And she was so beautiful that Androcles fell in love with her at first sight. It is not known whether Ephesia was inflamed with the same ardent feeling for the Greek prince, but, oddly enough, she agreed to become his wife. And then, following the example of their queen, all the Amazons also found husbands among the warriors of Androcles. Either they were exhausted without men at all, or they showed feminine wisdom, realizing that they could die in the battle with the Greeks, but they broke their oath to preserve a monogamous society. Enchanted by his wife, Androcles named his city after her. This is how Ephesus appeared.
Descriptions of female warriors are found in the myths and tales of the peoples of different countries. According to one version, all Amazons are daughters of the god Ares and his beloved goddesses - Harmony, Otrera and even Artemis herself, whom the Amazons of Asia Minor worshiped. They called their goddess Qibla. A distinctive feature of the goddess was her multiple breasts. The same statue of the goddess Artemis, found in Ephesus Artemisia, built in the 6th century BC, has reached us. According to Greek mythology, Artemis was the sister of Apollo, the daughter of the almighty Zeus and the beautiful goddess Leto. The Amazons are always depicted on horseback, dressed in homemade leather robes and helmets, and armed with a bow, battle ax and light shield. Their hair flutters over their shoulders, there is courage in their eyes, their faces are stern and express inaccessibility. And, of course, the warriors are as slender as chamois, and at the same time, have well-developed muscles of the arms and legs. But there is a description that says that girls - daughters of the Amazons - had their left breasts burned out for more convenient use of weapons. And the Spartan lifestyle hardly contributed to the preservation of female beauty. Well, perhaps the male warriors from Athens liked exotic female warriors more, and the gentle, well-groomed Greek women simply could not stand the competition.
From the Agora down to the Library of Celsus the street of Kurets ran like an arrow. It can be called an avenue - straight, paved with stone and marble, with majestic buildings on both sides, it is impressive to this day. Along the entire street there are still pedestals on which statues of gods and famous people of that time once stood. Surprisingly, the names engraved in stone have been preserved. The word “curetes” in Ephesus was used to describe the clergy of the Temple of Artemis, which, although it was part of the polis, still remained completely independent. The most stunning view of the street opens at the Hercules Gate - by climbing onto the dilapidated wall of one of the buildings you can see the entire perspective of the street.
And if you close your eyes and listen to people’s conversations, and at the same time forget about time, that this is the twenty-first century, then the life of the city begins to seem natural. People go about their business - some to the Scholastica bathhouse, which is located behind the Temple of Hadrian, others to a public toilet, where both men and women relieve themselves at the same time to the sounds of an orchestra playing by a small fountain, so that natural sounds do not injure the delicate ears Ephesians. One can imagine how the owner of a rich house, the floor of which is decorated with a wide ribbon of mosaic, eagerly rushes to the library to immerse himself in reading ancient tomes, and perhaps use this as an excuse to make his way through the underground passage from the library to the Public House. the house that stands opposite. And let the wife tell her friends how smart her husband is, how he loves to read books! During the Greek archaic period, when culture was exalted to the level of the gods, Ionia - the western coast of Asia Minor, where the city of Ephesus is located, was the most developed region of Greece. It was there that the first philosophical system of antiquity arose - natural philosophy. Philosophers reflected and argued, defending their view of the world, its laws, and comprehending the fundamental principles of things.
The city of Ephesus became famous for the name of Heraclitus of Ephesus (c. 554-483 BC), who considered fire to be the fundamental principle of matter. In his opinion, both in nature and in society there is an eternal movement, an eternal struggle, existence is constantly changing. How right Heraclitus was - and to this day those in power are fighting for it, still trying to change the world with fire and sword! The feeling of involvement in history persists throughout the entire walk along the street, which was buried under a thick layer of earth for almost two thousand years and was excavated by archaeologists only a little over two centuries ago. Already silent delight is caused by the sight of the perfectly preserved façade of the Library of Celsus - with four statues of goddesses, symbols of wisdom, harmony, and understanding. The library was built in the 2nd century AD in honor of the proconsul of Ephesus, Celsus, whose marble tomb was subsequently installed in a large niche of the hall. On the inside of the facade there is a well-preserved inscription in Greek, which tells about the creation of the Library. Priceless papyri were kept in square niches along the walls of the reading room. In the 3rd century, during the invasion of the Goths, the Library burned down with all its books and scrolls. Alas! Apparently the Goths were not interested in the wisdom of the world, and they did not care at all about preserving the priceless treasures of literature, philosophy and history.
From the Library of Celsus, to the right through the gates of Mazeus and Mithridates, Marble Avenue leads to the most majestic building of Ephesus - the Theater, which could accommodate thirty thousand people at a time. It hosted theatrical performances and held gladiator fights. The theater was built in 117, but even today it is a grandiose structure. It takes your breath away when you look at it from Portovaya Street - the even semicircles of 68 rows of spectators converge in perspective at the facade of the three-story stage building, with its back side facing the observer. The stage was decorated with Ionic and Corinthian columns, between which were located sculptures of gods and emperors. The capital - the part of the column that ends its trunk at the top - in the Ionic version has the appearance of a rolled scroll, and the Corinthian column is decorated with a more complex ornament and looks somewhat more elegant.
Of course, in the 2nd century, visitors to Ephesus could not see the inside of the Theater from the street, since it was covered with a roof, but you can easily imagine what it looked like then. And what a magnificent landscape was revealed to the eye from the Theater - after all, the sea harbor was practically next to it. Now the coast of the Aegean Sea is twelve kilometers from the ancient ruins! But the Theater is not all that surprises the modern tourist in ancient Ephesus. The most significant building in terms of its history, and not in terms of the preserved remains of walls and columns, remains the Temple of Artemis - that same multi-breasted goddess who gives life to all living things, who has become a symbol of motherhood and fertility. Even in ancient times, the Temple of Artemis was included in the seven wonders of the world along with the Egyptian pyramids, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the statue of the Colossus of Rhodes, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, and the statue of Zeus at Olympia.
Today people travel by bus to the place where Artemisium once stood. After two hours of walking under the scorching sun, it’s a few minutes of blissful relaxation under the cool air conditioning. The Temple of Artemis of Ephesus, like the city of Ephesus itself, was rebuilt more than once. But invariably on the old foundation, which, as legends say, rested on a kind of pillow of coal and bull hides - in this way the architect Harsifron protected the foundation from destruction by the swampy soil of this area. The first city of Ephesus, founded by Androcles, is still hidden in the swamp and, perhaps, someday the time will come, and future archaeologists will be able to “raise” it to the surface.
Today only one column remains from the Temple of Artemis. There were 127 of them, 18 meters high. The roof of the Temple rested on them, under which countless treasures were stored - rich people gave their valuables to the Temple of Artemis, trusting the goddess like a Swiss bank. But one day the Temple was robbed, and it happened on the birthday of Alexander the Great. Subsequently, the priests of the Temple explained to the people who had lost their wealth that Artemis that day went to give birth to the mother of the Great Alexander. The robbers took advantage of this - in the absence of the goddess, they became bolder and freely climbed into the treasury. This legend lived for many, many years, so that Alexander the Great all his life felt guilty before the residents of Ephesus for that robbery. And he tried in every possible way to support them financially during the years of his reign. But even the Great Alexander could not imagine WHAT would destroy the Temple of Artemis - human stupidity and vanity, the desire to become famous for centuries in any way! There lived a man in Ephesus who really wanted to be remembered for a long, long time. He was not endowed with any special talents, did not shine with intelligence, and did not create anything that could become of great value over time. Then he decided: “Since I cannot create anything, then I will destroy what has been created! And people will remember this all their lives, regretting the loss.” This man's name was Herostratus. And we remember this name today only because he burned the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus. This happened 200 years after the opening of the Temple in 550 BC. The temple was badly damaged by the fire, and Alexander the Great ordered its restoration at all costs. And the Temple of Artemis of Ephesus was rebuilt! It stood for over five centuries and was finally destroyed by order of Emperor Theodosius I, as a pagan temple, and a strong earthquake that happened a little later turned the remains of the once magnificent structure into ruins.
In the background, behind the Temple of Artemis of Ephesus, you can clearly see the large building of another temple, erected in the 1st century by the Roman emperor Justinian over the tomb of St. John, a disciple of Christ, one of the apostles of the Christian church, who, after the ascension of Christ, arrived here with the mother of Jesus, Mary. At the foot of Mount Bulbul, not far from the ruins of Ephesus, at an altitude of 400 meters above sea level, is the House of Mary, where she lived in recent years. The house was shaped like a cross. The L-shaped part of the house has been preserved, in which today there is a small church, as they say, right in the part where St. Mary’s room was. There is a beautiful and well-kept park around the house. There is a holy spring in it, the waters of which heal the ailments of believers, there is a wall of wish fulfillment, at which they tie a ribbon with a knot and ask the Mother of God for help.
Believers of all faiths come to Mary’s House - Christians, Catholics, and Muslims. This is a truly holy place, where you feel the presence of the Holy Spirit and unity with God. Saint John lived 107 years preaching the teachings of Christ. And he died of his own free will, convincing his disciples to bury him alive. But they could not stand it, and, tormented by remorse, dug up the grave two days later. The grave was empty. Traces of Christianity are present throughout the territory of modern Turkey. The respectful attitude of Muslims in a now secular state towards the shrines of another religion, once persecuted and persecuted, has made it possible to preserve many architectural monuments, priceless frescoes depicting the face of Christ, biblical scenes and the very memory of names dear to every Christian. And Ephesus is one of these places. The very fact that Mary herself walked on the marble slabs of the city streets of Ephesus evokes spiritual awe. When alone, when accompanied by John, who, according to the instructions of Jesus, became her adopted son, she, like any woman living at that time, walked around the city about her business - to buy something for the household, to talk to someone or listen to what They say.
Climate. Weather conditions in the region are no different from other areas of the Aegean coast. In winter it is warm and humid here, and the thermometer rarely drops below +10 degrees. In summer, the air temperature regularly goes beyond +30, so to visit the ancient ruins, it is better to choose early morning or evening.
How to get there. Transport. The closest international airport to Ephesus is in Izmir, at a distance of 80 km. From there, the most convenient transportation options are bus and rail. A more romantic way is to take a ferry to the port of Kusadasi, and from there by bus to Selcuk. Further, 3 km on foot or by taxi.
The Temple of Hadrian, quite well preserved to this day, was built in 138 AD. The Corinthian-style temple was built in honor of Emperor Hadrian, whose statue is unfortunately lost, like the statues of other emperors placed in the temple. On the other side of the Temple are the so-called “Houses on the Hillside”, or “Houses of the Rich”. Each of the houses in this part of Ephesus serves as a terrace for the house next to it. In the rooms of many houses frescoes and reliefs were discovered, representing either the owners of the houses or scenes from famous plays.
While walking around Ephesus, you will probably be shown a brothel, whose ruins still cause fierce debate between scientists and local guides. Both of them have a lot of evidence of the correctness of their theory (scientists consider these ruins to be an ordinary house, while guides accept it only as a public one), including images of an erotic nature, and small rooms of the house, and even an underground passage from library, designed to deceive suspicious wives.
Ephesus is one of the few cities where tourists can admire the ancient city street, which has remained almost unchanged for 20 centuries. Kuretov Street stretches from the library to the agora, and delights tourists not only with a paved marble road, but also with picturesque ruins and pedestals on both sides. Unfortunately, the statues that used to decorate the street are now in the museum, so you won’t be able to admire them in their original form. However, Kuretov Street is impressive even without them and conveys the spirit of antiquity.
The Prytanium is where Roman officials and offices worked, and where important banquets and meetings were held. The ruins of this important building are still visible in Ephesus, as is the Temple of Hestia, where a fire once burned constantly.
What attracts us to now dead cities, what do we feel when we find ourselves among the ruins of houses and temples? Simple human interest, involvement in history, curiosity? Are we going to distant lands specifically to see the ancient city with our own eyes, feel its breath, become for a moment a part of its life, or are we just buying an excursion to have fun while relaxing on the beaches of expensive resorts? Doesn't matter. The important thing is that the city continues to live with us. And he teaches those who think, contemplating the ruins - everything in life is transitory, there is nothing eternal and unchanging. The sunset stops the revival of the ancient city. The streets are empty, old stones sleep in the silence of the night; Occasionally sighing about past greatness, they see in their dreams emperors and philosophers, senators and merchants, warriors and sailors. And they are looking forward to tourists who do not hide their admiration for the remnants of the former beauty and splendor of the ancient city; like the Amazonian queen, remains coveted and mysterious to this day.
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Hilt- the oldest city in the world and one of the most famous centers of worship of Artemis.
Being part of the Kingdom of Pergamon, Hilt in 133 BC was annexed to Rome by the will of the Pergamon king Attala III. Hilt became the capital of the province of Asia. Large sums of money were spent on its improvement, the city grew and developed. Trade flourished here, the city market occupied an area of 7 hectares. According to Philostratus, the city was famous for its love of dancing, games and entertainment. Science and literature developed fruitfully.
I-II centuries became the heyday for Ephesus. The famous library of Celsus, baths and aqueducts were built, and the Greek theater was rebuilt. From the theater to the port there was Via Arcadiana, the main street of the city, named after Emperor Arcadius and decorated with porticoes with columns.
IN Ephesus built the temples of Domitian and Hadrian, installing marble statues of Roman emperors in them.
At this time in Ephesus The first Christians began to appear. In 52-54. the Apostle Paul lived and preached here, and perhaps the Apostle John, who is buried in Ephesus in the church of the same name. According to ancient legends, in Ephesus Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, spent the last years of her life.
In 263 Hilt was plundered by the Goths, the city quickly recovered, but did not return to its former prosperity.
In the V-VI centuries. Hilt was an important city in the Byzantine Empire. At this time it was greatly rebuilt, the Temple of Artemis was completely destroyed, as most of the population converted to Christianity. The stone from which the temple was built was used to build Christian churches.
For a long time Hilt remained the main port city on the Aegean Sea.
But the harbor began to become shallow, and with it Hilt was falling into disrepair.
Arab raids became more frequent, and by the middle of the 7th century. the city was almost completely destroyed.
In the XIV century. Seljuk Turks occupied the neighboring city of Ayasoluk, it began to grow and develop, a mosque, a caravanserai and Turkish baths were built. In the 15th century Hilt was finally abandoned, and Ayasoluk was renamed Selcuk.
IN Ephesus Many historical monuments dating back to the Roman period have been preserved. Not all of them have been excavated, but the splendor of the ancient city can be judged by the sights already discovered.
Grand Theatre was built in the Hellenic period (III-I centuries BC), but was seriously rebuilt by the Romans under the emperor Domitian and Trajan. He attracted 24 thousand spectators. During the Byzantine period, the theater was included in the wall that surrounded the city.
Starts from the Bolshoi Theater Marble Street, which 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.
Library of Celsus is a striking monument of Ancient Rome, representing a large luxurious collection that was given to the city by Titus Julius Aquila Polemean in memory of his father.
The small facade of the library is decorated with niches with allegorical sculptures; inside there is a burial chamber with the sarcophagus of Celsus Polemean, which was very rare for the Romans, since permission to bury public buildings was given very rarely and only for citizens with special merits.
Nearby is Agora- the center of the city’s trading life, where merchants from all over the Empire gathered, all kinds of goods were sold here, including slaves, and they gathered on holidays.
The Street of Curetes stretches along the slope from the Library of Celsius to the Gate of Hercules.
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.
Antique toilet. Hilt. Türkiye.
The House of Love was renovated by the wealthy woman Scholastica, who lived in Rome, and a hammam with rest rooms, a library and a salon for entertainment was added to it.
Temple of Hadrian was built in 138. It was decorated with statues of the emperors Dicoletian, Maximian, Constantius Chlorus and Galere.
Temple of Hadrian. Hilt.
Only the front entrance, pediment and sacred room have survived to this day.
Frieze of the Temple of Hadrian. Hilt.
Not far from the temple was installed Trajan's fountain, which decorated the statues (now they are in the Ephesus Museum), in the center of the fountain stood a huge statue of Emperor Trajan, from which a stream of water gushed.
Opposite the Temple of Hadrian are houses where rich and privileged citizens lived. The houses are located on a slope and each house serves as a terrace for the house next to it.
Houses on a slope. Hilt.
You can pay attention to the mosaic that is laid out on the sidewalk in front of the houses. Everything speaks of the luxury that reigned here.
The houses featured a large number of decorations and frescoes. For example, one of the houses located on the second tier was decorated with a fresco of the philosopher Socrates, and in a niche there was a statue of the goddess Artemis.
Room with a fresco of Socrates. Hilt.
A bit further - 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.
Kuretov Street ends Gate of Hercules, which are decorated with statues of this god.
Gate of Hercules. Hilt.
On the right is Temple of Domitian, erected after his death. The temple was surrounded by a magnificent colonnade, and a giant statue of the emperor was installed inside. Hoam was located in the city center, opposite the agora.
Temple of Domitian. Hilt.
A large square surrounded by a colonnade is the city Agora; socially important buildings were located here. Such as the city palace - Prytaneon, in which there is an altar of the goddess Vesta with a sacred fire. Prytaneon served as a political center Ephesus, where important ceremonies, feasts took place, and sacrifices were made. There were also two statues of Artemis here, indicating the importance of the place.
Near Odeon - Maly Theater, built in 150, stands on a hillside. At first, the city Senate met in the Odeon, and then they began to give theatrical performances, alternating days.
And the most important temple - Temple of Artemis was supposedly not far from here. Only a few columns remain from one of the seven wonders of the world.
Temple of Artemis. Hilt.
It was the most magnificent, marble temple built in 550 BC. The project was designed by the Greek architect Persifon. The rectangular temple, surrounded by a double colonnade of 127 columns, was decorated with bronze statues.
The temple served both as a religious place and as a market.
In 356, the temple of Artemis was burned by one of the inhabitants Ephesus Herostratus, who dreamed of fame at any cost. According to legend, on the day when the temple of Artemis burned down, the future conqueror of Asia, Alexander the Great, was born.
When Alexander approached the city 25 years later, he wanted to restore the temple. The new temple was similar to the previous one, but was larger in size. It was decorated with elegant bas-reliefs and statues.
In 263, the invading Goths plundered the temple. And in 391 Theodosius I banned pagan cults, but in Ephesus Artemis was worshiped for another two centuries. Then, as a result of an earthquake, the temple was destroyed and abandoned.
In 1869, the British Museum began excavations.
Artemis. Hilt.
Artemis. Hilt.
Entrance ticket to Ephesus - 25 liras.
Entrance ticket to the Archaeological Museum (located in Selcuk, across the road from the bus station) - 8 liras.
On Mount Bulbul (at the entrance to the historical zone of Ephesus there are always taxi drivers offering to take you to the place) located 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 related to Ephesus – 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.”
How to get to Ephesus:
A dolmush (minibus) runs from the bus station in Selcuk, the fare is 2.5 liras.
Or on foot.
How to get to Selcuk –
Ephesus is an ancient city in western Turkey (Ionian coast). It is located 3 kilometers southwest of the modern city of Selcuk in the province of Izmir. Known for its unique ancient architectural structures. Including one of the seven wonders of the world, the Temple of Artemis. At one time it was one of the three largest cities in Asia Minor. Today, 15% of the ancient ruins have been excavated. They are located 6 km from the sea coast.
The city of Ephesus on the map of Turkey, indicated by a blue circle
Historical reference
The settlement in this place was founded during the Mycenaean civilization in the 16th century BC. e. It was called Apasha. In the 13th century BC. e. The “dark ages” have arrived. New information about the city appeared only in sources of the 8th century BC. e.
In the era of Classical Ancient Greece, Ephesus became a polis (city-state) and entered the Ionian League. In the 6th century BC. e. was conquered by the Lydian king Croesus, and then by the Persian Achaemenid dynasty. But this did not affect the settlement itself and the well-being of its inhabitants in any way, since the city was located by the sea and was a sea trading port.
During the Hellenistic era it was controlled by the Ptolemaic and then Seleucid dynasties. In 129 BC. e. came under the control of the Roman Republic and reached its greatest prosperity during this period. In 27 BC. e. The first Roman emperor Augustus made the settlement the capital of proconsular Asia, and its population reached 60 thousand people.
The city was famous for the Temple of Artemis, built in the 6th century BC. e., the library of Celsius and a theater for 25 thousand spectators. In addition to performances, gladiatorial games were also held on its stage. In 263 AD the city was attacked by the Goths and was destroyed.
A third revival occurred under Emperor Constantine in 395. The Byzantines rebuilt much of the port settlement and it played an important role in the 5th and 6th centuries. And during the time of Emperor Justinian I, the Basilica of St. John was built. In 614, the city buildings were partially destroyed by an earthquake.
In the 7th century, the city's importance as a seaport began to decline. The reason was siltation of the harbor. Work was carried out to deepen the bottom, but this did not help much. As a result, the coastline moved away from Ephesus, and it ceased to be considered a port.
With the loss of access to the Aegean Sea, people began to leave the settlement. Temple buildings began to be used as building blocks for new houses. Marble sculptures were ground into powder to make lime for plaster. The Arabs soon arrived, hastening the fall of the once great commercial center. When the city was conquered by the Seljuk Turks in 1090, it was already a small village.
It flourished briefly in the 14th century under the Seljuk rulers. At this time, the Isa Bey Mosque, caravanserais and Turkish baths (hamam) were built. But in the second half of the 15th century, the city was completely forgotten, and it was abandoned by people.
Sights of the city of Ephesus
The city of Ephesus contains the largest collection of Roman ruins in the Eastern Mediterranean. But only 15% has been excavated. The visible ruins give some idea of the former splendor of this ancient settlement.
Celsus Library was built in 125. The façade of the building was carefully reconstructed from its ruins. The construction of this majestic structure was started by Tiberius Julius Celsus, who controlled all of Asia Minor during the Roman Empire. When he died, his sarcophagus was buried under the library. His son Gaius Julius completed the construction and assembled the library. With his own money he purchased 12 thousand scrolls.
Basilica or St. John's Church was built in the 6th century under Emperor Justinian I. It is assumed that under it there is the tomb of the apostle. In total, 6 graves were discovered, arranged in the shape of a cross.
Temple of Artemis considered one of the seven wonders of the world. Today it is represented by only one inconspicuous column. Other parts of the temple, discovered during archaeological excavations in 1870, were taken to the British Museum. Some fragments are in the Istanbul Archaeological Museum.
Odeon or a small indoor theater was built in 150. It accommodated 1500 people. He had a small hall for games and concerts. The theater had 22 staircases. The upper part of the structure was decorated with red granite columns in the Corinthian style. There were entrances on both sides of the stage.
Temple of Hadrian dates back to the 2nd century. It was repaired in the 4th century. The reliefs in the upper compartments are casts, and the originals are currently on display in the Istanbul Archaeological Museum. The reliefs depict the emperor with his wife and eldest son.
Temple of Domitian was dedicated to the Flavian dynasty and was considered one of the largest temples in the city. It is one of the few architectural creations associated with Domitian.
Grand Theatre had a capacity of 25 thousand seats. It was considered one of the largest theaters in the Ancient World. The building consisted of 3 floors with specially decorated columns.
There were two in the city agora(market squares). They were decorated with a colonnade, under which there were shopping arcades. In addition to commercial activities, agoras were used for various festivals.
The city of Ephesus is also famous for some other attractions. All of them are of great interest to tourists. The advantage of this ancient cultural center is that it is easily accessible.
Also known by its Greek name Antalya. By modern standards it is small - its population barely reaches 225 thousand people. However, thanks to its history and the monuments preserved in it from past centuries, it is one of the most visited cities in the world by tourists.
City of the Fertility Goddess
In ancient times, it was founded by the Greeks in the 11th century BC. e., the city was famous for the cult of the local who flourished here, who eventually incarnated herself as the goddess of fertility Artemis. This generous and hospitable celestial woman in the 6th century BC. e. residents of the city built a temple, recognized as one of
The city of Ephesus reached unprecedented prosperity in the 6th century BC. e., when it came under the rule of the Lydian king Croesus, who captured it, whose name in modern language has become synonymous with wealth. This ruler, immersed in luxury, spared no expense and decorated his temples with new sculptures, and acted as a patron of science and art. Under him, the city was glorified by many outstanding personalities, such as the ancient philosopher Heraclitus and the ancient poet Kallin.
City life in the first centuries AD
However, the peak of the city’s development occurred in the 1st-2nd centuries AD. e. During this period, it was part of the Roman Empire, and a lot of money was spent on its improvement, thanks to which aqueducts, the library of Celsus, thermal baths - ancient baths were built, and also rebuilt. One of the many city attractions was its main street, which went down to the port and was decorated columns and porticoes. It was named after the Roman Emperor Arcadius.
The city of Ephesus is mentioned several times in the New Testament, in particular in the books "The Acts of the Apostles" and "The Revelations of John the Evangelist", also known as the "Apocalypse". The first followers of Christ began to appear in it during the period of the Savior’s earthly ministry, and in 52-54 the Apostle Paul lived and preached the word of God in the city. Researchers also have reason to believe that the man who died and was buried in Ephesus wrote his Gospel here. Sacred Tradition connects this city with the last years of the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary - the Mother of Jesus Christ.
The sea that left the city
At the founding of Ephesus, the city of Artemis, it was founded on the shores of the Aegean Sea and was the largest port center of antiquity. But then the unexpected happened - either the goddess quarreled with the supreme ruler Zeus, and he poured out his anger on the city, or the reasons were of a natural order, but only in the 6th century AD. e. the harbor suddenly became shallow and overgrown with silt.
Residents had to move their homes to a new location, located near the current Turkish city of Selcuk, starting construction on Ayasoluk Hill. But the sea still continued to recede, depriving this ancient city of most of its income. Ephesus gradually fell into decay. Landslides and earthquakes completed the job, covering its ruins with sand and reliably preserving it for future archaeologists.
Forgotten ancient monument
The job was completed by the Arabs, who in the 7th century increased their raids and finally destroyed what the hand of the blind elements had not yet reached. Seven centuries later, the Ottoman Empire captured a large part of Asia Minor, including the territory where the city of Ayasoluk, neighboring Ephesus, was located.
From that time on, it began to develop, but within the framework of the Islamic tradition. Mosques, caravanserais and Turkish baths appeared on its streets. Another hundred years later the city was renamed, and it received its current name Selchuk, and the city of Ephesus was completely abandoned and fell asleep for several centuries under a layer of sand blown here by the hot wind.
Excavations of an enthusiastic archaeologist
The history of archaeological excavations on the territory of the ancient city dates back to 1863. Their initiator was the British engineer and architect John Turtle Wood, who designed railway station buildings in Turkey. Having set out to find the Ephesus mentioned in the New Testament, he received permission from the local authorities to carry out the work.
The task was not an easy one, because the only information he had was information about where the city of Ephesus was located, but he did not have any specific information about its layout and buildings.
A city that has risen from oblivion
Three years later, the first reports of John Wood's discoveries spread around the world, and from that time on, the city of Ephesus, where outstanding monuments of Hellenic culture were created in previous centuries, attracted everyone's attention.
To this day, the city has preserved many unique monuments dating back to the Roman period of its history. Even though much remains to be unearthed, what appears today is striking in its magnificence and provides an opportunity to imagine the grandeur and splendor of this city in its heyday.
The theater and the Marble Street leading to it
One of the main attractions of Ephesus is the ruins of its theater, built in the Hellenic period, but which underwent significant reconstruction during the reign of the Roman emperors Domitian and his successor Trajan. This truly grandiose structure could accommodate twenty-five thousand spectators, and in a later period it was part of the city wall.
Anyone who entered the City of Ephesus by sea could proceed from the port to the theater along a four-hundred-meter street lined with marble slabs. The trading shops that stood on its sides alternated with statues of ancient gods and ancient heroes, striking the eyes of visitors with their perfection. By the way, the residents of the city were not only aesthetes, but also quite practical people - during excavations under the street they discovered a fairly developed sewage system.
Library - a gift from the Roman Emperor
Among other cultural centers of the ancient world, the city of Ephesus was also known for its library, which received the name of Celsus Polemean, the father of the Roman emperor Titus Julius, who built it in memory of him and installed his sarcophagus in one of the halls. It should be noted that the burial of the dead in public buildings was an extremely rare occurrence in the Roman Empire, and was allowed only in cases of special merit of the deceased.
The fragments of the building that have survived to this day are part of the facade, richly decorated with allegorical figures placed in niches. At one time, the collection of the Celsus library included twelve thousand scrolls, stored not only in cabinets and shelves, but also right on the floor of its vast halls.
Temple guarded by Medusa the Gorgon
In addition to the Temple of Artemis, which was the hallmark of the city in ancient times, many more religious buildings were built in Ephesus. One of them is the Sanctuary of Hadrian, the ruins of which can be seen when turning off Marble Street. Its construction dates back to 138 AD. e. Only a few surviving fragments remain of the former splendor of this pagan temple.
Among them are four Corinthian columns supporting a triangular pediment with a semicircular arch in the middle. Inside the temple you can see a bas-relief of the Gorgon Medusa guarding the temple, and on the opposite wall there are images of various ancient gods, one way or another connected with the founding of the city. Previously, there were also statues of very real rulers of the world - the Roman emperors Maximian, Diocletian and Gallery, but today they have become exhibits of the city museum.
The area of the richest residents of the city of Ephesus
The history of the city during the period of Roman rule was immortalized in a sculptural complex built near the entrance to the Temple of Hadrian, surrounding the Fountain of Trojan. In the center of the composition stood a marble statue of this emperor, from which a stream of water rose to the sky. Around her, in respectful poses, were statues of the immortal inhabitants of Olympus. Today these sculptures also decorate museum halls.
Opposite the Temple of Hadrian there were houses in which a select part of Ephesian society lived. In modern terms, it was an elite quarter. Situated on a hillside, the buildings were designed in such a way that the roof of each served as an open terrace for the neighboring one located a level below. The perfectly preserved mosaic that lined the sidewalk in front of the houses gives an idea of the luxury in which their inhabitants lived.
The buildings themselves were richly decorated with frescoes and various sculptural images, some of which have survived to this day. Their subjects included, in addition to the traditional ancient deities in such cases, also images of outstanding people of the past. For example, one of them depicts the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates.
Christian shrines of the city
In this city, monuments of ancient paganism and the Christian culture that replaced it miraculously coexist side by side, one of which is the Basilica of St. John. In the 6th century, Emperor Justinian I ordered its construction on the spot where the holy apostle, the author of the Apocalypse, as well as one of the Gospels, was supposedly buried.
But the main Christian shrine of Ephesus, undoubtedly, is the house in which, according to legend, the Mother of Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary, spent her last years. As the legend says, already on the Cross the Savior entrusted the care of Her to his beloved disciple, the Apostle John, and he, sacredly keeping the Teacher’s order, transported her to his home in Ephesus.
There is also a very beautiful legend associated with one of the caves located on the slope of a nearby mountain. According to popular belief, during the days of persecution of Christianity, seven young men who professed the true faith were saved in it. To protect them from imminent death, the Lord sent them into a deep sleep, in which they spent two centuries. Young Christians awakened and were already in complete safety - their faith had by that time become the state religion.
Ephesus is one of the few ancient cities that was well preserved in ancient times. Once on its streets, you seem to go back in time and can imagine what life was like in the city hundreds of years ago.
In this article we will talk about where Ephesus is located in Turkey, and also talk about its history and the most popular attractions of this city.
Ephesus - history of the city
Ephesus is located on the coast, between the Turkish cities of Izmir and Kusadasi. The closest settlement to Ephesus is the city of Selcuk.
Since the second half of the 19th century, archaeologists have been diligently restoring the city, trying to discover and preserve the maximum number of artifacts - ancient buildings, household items, works of art.
In ancient times, the city of Ephesus was a major port, thriving due to active trade and crafts. In some periods its population exceeded 200 thousand people. It is not surprising that archaeologists often find valuable things and large religious buildings here. The most famous ancient temple on the territory of Ephesus is the legendary one, the same one that glorified the arsonist Herostratus. After the burning, the temple was restored, but after the spread of Christianity, it was still closed, like many pagan temples in the empire. After closing, the building fell into disrepair and was looted and destroyed by looters. Many years of neglect led the building to almost complete destruction, and the remains of the building gradually sank into the swampy soil on which it was built. So the swamp, which was originally supposed to protect the temple from the harmful effects of earthquakes, became its grave.
The Temple of the Goddess Artemis in Ephesus was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Unfortunately, today only ruins remain of it. The only restored column, of course, cannot convey the beauty and grandeur of the ancient temple. It serves rather as an indicator of the location of the shrine and at the same time as a monument to the transience of time and human shortsightedness.
With the decline of the Roman Empire, Ephesus gradually perished. Ultimately, only a barely noticeable trace remained of the large port center in the form of a small neighboring village and the ruins of ancient buildings.
Sights of Ephesus (Türkiye)
There are quite a lot of attractions in Ephesus, and they all have enormous historical value. In addition to the Temple of Artemis, the Ephesus museum complex includes the remains of the ancient city, including parts of buildings and many smaller monuments from various periods (prehistoric, ancient, Byzantine, Ottoman).
The most popular place in the ancient city is the Basilica with its colonnade. It was in this place that meetings of local residents were regularly held and major trade transactions were carried out.
One of the most beautiful buildings in the city is the Temple of Hadrian (Corinthian style), erected in honor of the visit of Ephesus by Emperor Hadrian in 123 AD. The facade of the building and the arch at the entrance were decorated with images of gods and goddesses, and bronze sculptures of Roman emperors also stood at the entrance. Next to the temple there were public toilets connected to the city sewer system (they are still perfectly preserved).
The Library of Celsus, now more like a strange set, is almost completely destroyed. Its façade has been restored, but the interior was destroyed by fire and earthquake.
In general, lovers of antiquities and the majestic ruins of ancient cities will really like Ephesus. Here and there tower powerful and slightly strange details of old buildings or fragments of columns from centuries ago. Even if you're not into history, the ancient city of Ephesus will certainly make you feel connected to the past and the transience of time.
The largest monument in Ephesus is the Ephesus Theater. It hosted mass gatherings, performances and gladiator fights.
Ephesus is also home to the House of the Virgin Mary, the largest shrine of Christian culture. The Mother of God lived in it at the end of her life.
Now this small stone building has been converted into a church. Near Mary's House there is a wall where visitors can leave notes with wishes and prayers to the Virgin Mary.
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