Ephesus

Ephesus is a rare ancient city that has been a settlement since the prehistoric period and has survived throughout the Hellenistic, Roman, Eastern Roman, Principality, and Ottoman periods. It is approximately 9000 years of uninterrupted settlement, in short. Today, more than 1.5 million travelers visit the city annually, and it is on Unesco’s World Heritage List since 2015. It is also home to the Temple of Artemis, which is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Ephesus, an ancient city, was built in the 10th century BC by Attic and Ionian Greek colonists to replace the former capital of Arzawa (a former ancient state) and was one of the twelve cities of Ionia during the classical Greek period. The city is known around the world for its stunning ancient structures, and it is a sacred place for Christians and Muslims too.

The Temple of Artemis which is one of the world’s 7 wonders, was raised in Ephesus, even if it collapsed and was harmed 3 times, rebuilt around 550 BC. The Library of Celsus, built by Gaius Julius Aquila in the 110s A.D. as a monument for his father and designed with acanthus leaves, scrolls, and fasces emblems, is the second great attraction of Ephesus. The House of the Virgin Mary believed that she spent the last days of her life here, and since 1967, after the visit of Pope Paul VI, services are held every year on the 15th day of August. It can be said that Ephesus is an ancient exhibition that has 9000 years of historical treasures, such as the Seven Sleepers Cave, the Asa Bey Mosque, the temples of Hadrian, Serapis, Mary, the Agora, the theater, and others.