Located on the western coast of Asia Minor (present-day Turkey), Ephesus is one of the most impressive and best-preserved archaeological sites of the ancient world. Originally founded as a Greek settlement on the Aegean Sea, the city flourished under Roman rule and became the capital of the province of Asia. Ephesus is famous for housing the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, although it was destroyed and never rebuilt after being sacked by the Goths in the 3rd century AD. Among the ruins are the Theater of Ephesus, with a capacity of 25,000 spectators, the Library of Celsus, built in honor of the proconsul Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemianus, and the Via Arcadia, an impressive avenue that connected the harbor to the theater.
In addition to its architectural and cultural wealth, Ephesus played a crucial role in the spread of Christianity. The Apostle Paul stayed in the city for three years, preaching and writing some of his epistles. The Apostle John also moved to Ephesus, where he lived and led the church until his death. The city was the site of the Third Ecumenical Council in 431 A.D., which condemned Nestorianism. Over the centuries, Ephesus experienced a decline due to natural disasters and the silting up of the harbor, which made it difficult for ships to enter. Today, the ruins of Ephesus, including the famous Curetes Way, the Gate of Heracles and the Odeon, offer visitors a fascinating window into the splendor of a city that was a vital center of trade, culture and religion in antiquity.
- Address
Atatürk, Efes Harabeleri, 35920 Selçuk/İzmir, Turkey - Web
https://muze.gov.tr/muze-detay?sectionId=EFS01&distId=EFS - Visiting Hours
Everyday from 8:00 to 21:30 - What to see
Ancient city of Ephesus
