One of the seven wonders of the world, the Ancient City of Ephesus is one of the most important ancient cities of Anatolia.. Today, only fifteen percent of this ancient city has been unearthed.. Located in the Selcuk district of Izmir, the ancient city welcomes 1.5 million visitors every year.
Celsus Library, Turkey, where you can see both the library and the ancient tomb structure Ephesus Ancient City Theatre, where the most important open-air museum of Turkey is located, and Slope Evler, where the nobles met their accommodation needs in ancient times, should definitely be seen..
- History
- Information About
- Historical Buildings
- Where
- Entry Fee
History of the Ancient City of Ephesus
When you pass the toll booths of the ancient city, there are free toilets, a souvenir shop and a small cafe.. When you pass the toilets, there are information texts on the left side of the road leading to the Ancient Theater . By reading these texts, you can have information about the history of the ancient city.
If you want to visit an ancient city correctly, you should definitely have information about its history and parts of it before you go.
The foundation of the ancient city dates back to 6,000 BC . This ancient city was used as an active settlement area until the Hellenistic Period, Roman, Byzantine, Principalities and Ottoman Periods.
First Establishment Period
There are legends that the ancient city of Ephesus was founded by female warriors named amazon.. There are rumors that the ancient city founded by female warriors is Arzawa (City of the Mother Goddess).
Although there is no definite information about the first foundation period, it is unclear whether these stories are legends or not. It is still being discussed.
Roman Period and the Second Foundation Period of Ephesus
After the first foundation period, a small town of Ephesus was built. thought to be the center of life. The progress of the ancient city of Ephesus on its way to become a superior city for centuries, everything starts anew with the touch of the Prince of Athens, Androklos.
This process started by M. In 129 B.C., King Attolos of Pergamon was thought to have left a whole country when he inherited the whole region to the Romans.. After this date, the ancient city became the most important trade center in Asia.
With the emergence of Christianity, St. Paul’s sermons in the ancient city, With the arrival of St. John and the Virgin Mary the ancient city became a religious center. After the ancient city of Ephesus became a religious center , Christians come here to celebrate at certain times of the year.
After the ancient city of Ephesus lived its golden age 1304
It was captured by the Turks in .
The Principalities and the Ottoman Period
The ancient city, which was captured by the Turkish principalities in 1304 It continued its golden age for 98 years.. This ancient city, which suffered its share from the Mongol attacks in 1402, suffers great damage.. In 1425 After this city was conquered by the Ottomans, the ancient city lost its importance.
Information About the Ancient City of Ephesus
One of the largest cities of antiquity and has a population of approximately 200,000 people. This ancient city where he lived is experiencing its heyday when the Romans took it.. It was accepted as the capital city of the Asian continent during the Roman period.. Ephesus Antique City, which showed a rapid development in the field of culture and art in a short time as an important city of Rome, contains magnificent temples, a large library, buildings and a philosophy school.. Significant parts of most of these buildings still stand today.. Every corner of the city, which has architectural features and marble decorations that requires a high level of knowledge and technology, is worth seeing.. The ancient city, which was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 1994, was accepted into the “UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List” in 2015.
Ephesus Ancient City Historical Buildings
Before visiting this ancient city, it is useful to have information about the historical buildings in it.. It would be good for you to read this information at least once in order to understand and visit these historical structures.
Temple of Artemis
The Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the world in the Ancient City of Ephesus, was completed in 550 BC and was built entirely of marble.. The Temple of Artemis, also known as the Temple of Diana .
This temple, which is shown as one of the seven wonders of the world, has only been transported to the present day after the rebellions and natural disasters. .
Ephesus Antique City Theater
St. Ephesus Ancient City Theater, where Paul preached, is the largest open-air theater of the ancient period.. This theater has a capacity of 24.000 people, although the seating areas of the theater are good, unfortunately the stage area has been demolished.
Celsus Library
Celsus Library is one of the most beautiful buildings in the ancient city. This historical texture, which was built by his son on behalf of Celsius in AD 106, actually has a single storey, although it looks like two floors from the outside.
Celsus Library is located on the marble street of the ancient city of Ephesus. it is located south of the Agora when you bend to the east.
Slope Houses
Indigenous people living in ancient times are classified. Built for the wealthy people of Ephesus among classifications such as workers, robbers, and the wealthy, the Hillside Houses are built on an area of 4000 m2.
It is understood that the houses are quite luxurious; houses are heated with underfloor heating system.
House of Virgin Mary
Mary’s last years together with St. John It is the church that is thought to have passed. Since both of them spent the last years of their lives in this house, the house has been accepted as one of the holy places of pilgrimage, every year on the 15th of August the Vatican performs the great rite here.
Useful Information About the Ancient City Tour
As it will be difficult to visit the Ancient City of Ephesus in one day, we recommend you to spare two days if you have time.
If you do not have the opportunity to visit the Ancient City of Ephesus with a guide; You can get one of the guides sold at the entrance.
You can get the ‘narrator ears’ which are sold at the box office of the ancient city against your ID.. In this way, the ancient city tour will be more beneficial.. You can get your identity back when you hand over the headset.
If you are going to visit in the hot summer months, the historical textures made of marble will be quite hot as they absorb the sun, make sure you have water with you.
After visiting the Ancient City of Ephesus, you can evaluate the attractions in the surrounding area.. Do not forget that you are a minibus away from Şirince and 20-25 minutes from Kuşadası.
Where is the Ancient City of Ephesus and How to Get there?
The Ancient City of Ephesus is located on the west coast of Anatolia, within the borders of Selçuk county in İzmir province.
Address : Address: Atatürk Mh ., Uğur Mumcu Sevgi Yolu, 35920 Selçuk/İzmir
You can easily access the map/navigation sections of the smart phones we use frequently today, if you write the full address.. In addition, alternative methods are;
If you are going from Aydın direction to İzmir direction, take Belevi Connection and you will be there in 20 minutes.
From Kuşadası If you are going to Aydın direction, you can easily reach it by following the direction signs after turning from Çamlık to Selçuk direction.
If you take the Basmane – Söke or Basmane – Denizli trains, get off at Selçuk Station and take a short 5-minute walk. You can reach the ancient city by using the bus.
For visitors who want to travel by plane, the nearest airport is Adnan Menderes, 60 kilometers away.. You can reach the ancient city in approximately 45 minutes by a private taxi or the shuttles of airport companies.
Minbuses departing from Selçuk district of İzmir province cost 6 TL.
Ephesus Ancient City Entrance Fee
The entrance fee to this ruin, known as the Anatolian Capital of Antiquity, is 60 TL. Visitors with Müzekart+ can enter this ancient city free of charge.
The ancient city has a summer and winter visitor admission application.. In April and October, the opening time has been determined as 08:00 and the closing time as 18:30.. Between 31 October and 14 April, the opening time is 08:30 and the closing time is 17:30.
With the decision of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey, museums and archaeological sites are open until noon on the first day of religious holidays. It is closed.
Museum Card+ is not valid at the Hillside Houses and House of Virgin Mary in the Ancient City of Ephesus, you must pay an extra fee.. For the Virgin Mary’s House, the entrance fee is 10 TL for domestic tourists, 25 TL for foreigners, and 15 TL for Yamaç Evler’s .
⇒ Places To Visit In Selçuk ⇐
