Where And What Is Ephesus?
Ephesus can be found near Selçuk in Western Türkiye and is a very popular stop on the tourist trail.
The ruins were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. They are within easy reach of the popular coastal town of Kuşadası. They also lie approximately 80 kilometres away from the busy city of Izmir.
The Temple of Artemis is the most well known structure, although very little of it exists now. The Temple was built to honour Artemis, one of the three maiden goddesses of Olympus. It is now considered one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World.
Probably the most photographed remains of the city is the Library of Celsus. The Library was commissioned by Gaius Julius Aquila as a monument for his father, Celsus Polemaeanus, a Roman Senator and General Governor of Asia. A Library was chosen as he was also a great lover of books. Although the Library wasn’t completed during the lifetime of Julius Aquila, it was completed by his heirs.
The End of Ephesus
Ephesus was originally built as a port and relied heavily on sea trade. However, over the years silt built up in the harbour and ships could no longer reach the city. Unfortunately this eventually led to the city being abandoned.
Many of the remains cover a large area and it is easily somewhere you can spend a day looking around.
Here’s just a few other sights you can take in during your visit:
And you can even say hello to the local security cat:
Should you wish to quench your thirst or give your feet a little rest, there are cafes and restaurants close by.
If you’d like to visit Ephesus or would like more information please contact us here or via the green button below.
