Ephesus
Ephesus, the most important city of Antiquity
This is the most important city of Antiquity and one of the highlights of any visit of Turkey. The city was adorned with splendid monuments, theatres, temples, agoras, gymnasiums, librairies etc.
Culture and history
Ephesus was built in the 10th century BC. The city was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. In 268 AD, the Temple was destroyed or damaged in a raid by the Goths. The town was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614 AD.
Ephesus contains the largest collection of Roman ruins in the eastern Mediterranean. Only an estimated 15% has been excavated. The ruins that are visible give some idea of the city’s original splendour. The theatre dominates the view down Harbour Street, which leads to the silted-up harbour.
You can visit the Virgin Mary house; a tradition says that St John brought Mary to Ephesus after the death of Christ.