GALLIPOLI-TROY- PERGAMON 2 DAYS 1 NIGHT BY BUS
DAY 1
06.00 Pick up from hotel in Taksim
06.30-07:00 Pick up from hotel in Sultanahmet( Old City)
12.00 Arrive in Eceabat
12.45 Depart for fully guided Gallipoli Tour
On tour you will visit:
Brighton Beach
Beach Cemetery
ANZAC Cove
Ariburnu Cemetery
ANZAC Commemorative Site
Respect to Mehmetcik Statue
Lone Pine Australian Memorial
Johnston's Jolly (Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels)
Turkish 57. Infantry Regiment Cemetery
The Nek
Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial
17.30 End of the tour and check in Hotel
DAY 2
07.30 Breakfast
08.00 Ferry to Canakkale for Troy Tour
08.45 Depart for Troy Tour
On tour you will visit:
The Trojan Horse
Sacrificial Altars
The 3700 year old city walls
Houses of Troy I, 3000 B.C. - 2500 B.C.
The Bouleuterion (Senate Building)
The Odeon (Concert Hall)
Remains of the various cities from Troy I through to Troy IX
11.30 End of the tour and Depart for Pergamon
15.30 Lunch in Pergamon and Depart for Pergamon & Acropolis tour
18.30 End of the tour and depart for Selcuk
22.30 Arrive in Selcuk
23.00 Arrive in Kuşadası
Extra Info
2nd Day of Tour Final is
18.30 End of the tour and depart for Selcuk
22.30 Arrive in Selcuk
23.00 Arrive in Kuşadası
Includes
What is Included in tour ?
Hotel Pick-up & drop-off - by air-conditioned non-smoking vehicles.
Entrance Fees mentioned by the itineraries.
Lunch
1 night accomodation in Eceabat/Canakkale
Professional Licenced Tour Guide.
Service Charges & Local Taxes.
What is Excluded in tour?
Drinks at lunch
Tips and gratuities
Personal expenses
DAY 1
06.00 Pick up from hotel in Taksim
06.30-07:00 Pick up from hotel in Sultanahmet( Old City)
12.00 Arrive in Eceabat
12.45 Depart for fully guided Gallipoli Tour
On tour you will visit:
Brighton Beach
Beach Cemetery
ANZAC Cove
Ariburnu Cemetery
ANZAC Commemorative Site
Respect to Mehmetcik Statue
Lone Pine Australian Memorial
Johnston's Jolly (Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels)
Turkish 57. Infantry Regiment Cemetery
The Nek
Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial
17.30 End of the tour and check in Hotel
DAY 2
07.30 Breakfast
08.00 Ferry to Canakkale for Troy Tour
08.45 Depart for Troy Tour
On tour you will visit:
The Trojan Horse
Sacrificial Altars
The 3700 year old city walls
Houses of Troy I, 3000 B.C. - 2500 B.C.
The Bouleuterion (Senate Building)
The Odeon (Concert Hall)
Remains of the various cities from Troy I through to Troy IX
11.30 End of the tour and Depart for Pergamon
15.30 Lunch in Pergamon and Depart for Pergamon & Acropolis tour
18.30 End of the tour and depart for Selcuk
22.30 Arrive in Selcuk
23.00 Arrive in Kuşadası
Extra Info
2nd Day of Tour Final is
18.30 End of the tour and depart for Selcuk
22.30 Arrive in Selcuk
23.00 Arrive in Kuşadası
Includes
What is Included in tour ?
Hotel Pick-up & drop-off - by air-conditioned non-smoking vehicles.
Entrance Fees mentioned by the itineraries.
Lunch
1 night accomodation in Eceabat/Canakkale
Professional Licenced Tour Guide.
Service Charges & Local Taxes.
What is Excluded in tour?
Drinks at lunch
Tips and gratuities
Personal expenses
DAY 2
07.30 Breakfast
08.00 Ferry to Canakkale for Troy Tour
08.45 Depart for Troy Tour
On tour you will visit:
The Trojan Horse
Sacrificial Altars
The 3700 year old city walls
Houses of Troy I, 3000 B.C. - 2500 B.C.
The Bouleuterion (Senate Building)
The Odeon (Concert Hall)
Remains of the various cities from Troy I through to Troy IX
11.30 End of the tour and Depart for Pergamon
15.30 Lunch in Pergamon and Depart for Pergamon & Acropolis tour
18.30 End of the tour and depart for Selcuk
22.30 Arrive in Selcuk
23.00 Arrive in Kuşadası
Extra Info
2nd Day of Tour Final is
18.30 End of the tour and depart for Selcuk
22.30 Arrive in Selcuk
23.00 Arrive in Kuşadası
Includes
What is Included in tour ?
Hotel Pick-up & drop-off - by air-conditioned non-smoking vehicles.
Entrance Fees mentioned by the itineraries.
Lunch
1 night accomodation in Eceabat/Canakkale
Professional Licenced Tour Guide.
Service Charges & Local Taxes.
What is Excluded in tour?
Drinks at lunch
Tips and gratuities
Personal expenses
istanbul tours, turkey tours, daily istanbul city tours, ephesus, cappadocia, pamukkale, istanbul, turkey package tours, weekly tourkey tours, rent a car turkey, rent a car istanbul, istanbul hotels, cappadocia hotels, private tours
Turkey, Ancient city Priene
Photographer:Samuel Magal
Music:Herrin The Higher Mind
Priene was an ancient Greek city of Ionia at the base of an escarpment of Mycale, about 6 kilometres north of the then course of the Maeander River, 67 kilometres from ancient Anthea, 15 kilometres from ancient Aneon and 25 kilometres from ancient Miletus
Magnificent Ancient Ruins of Ephesus, Turkey (With Facts/Figures)
Ancient Ephesus, Turkey is known as the City of the Gods. It was an ancient Greek city built in the 10th Century B.C. which flourished under the control of the Roman Republic in 129 B.C. It once had a population of over 50,000 people. As you can see from the video, there are many ruins that are left to remind us of a great city that once was.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please SUBSCRIBE to Andy's Awesome Adventures and enable All on the Subscribe bell icon. Thank you!
This is a link to my Amazon Storefront, featuring the travel gear (video cameras, cameras, luggage, clothes, backpacks, etc) I always take with me:
Amazon U.S.:
Amazon Canada:
Amazon U.K.:
For U.S. Customers:
Sign Up for Amazon Kindle:
Sign Up For Amazon Audible Books:
Sign Up for Amazon Prime:
Sign Up for Amazon Prime Video:
As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support! #CommissionsEarned
ephesus and priene theater
Ephesus
Recorded October 26, 2009
Ephesus was an ancient Greek city on the west coast of Anatolia, near present-day Selçuk, Izmir Province, Turkey. It was one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League during the Classical Greek era. In the Roman period, it was for many years the second largest city of the Roman Empire; ranking behind Rome. Ephesus had a population of more than 250,000 in the 1st century BC, which also made it the second largest city in the world. The city was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BCE), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Temple was destroyed in 401 CE by a mob led by St. John Chrysostom. Emperor Constantine I rebuilt much of the city and erected new public baths. The town was again partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614. The city's importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Cayster River. Ephesus was one of the seven churches of Asia that are cited in the Book of Revelation. The Gospel of John may have been written here. It is also the site of a large gladiators' graveyard. Today's archaeological site lies 3 kilometers southwest of the town of Selçuk, Turkey. The ruins of Ephesus are a favorite international and local tourist attraction, partly owing to their easy access from the port of Kuşadası.
Watch my complete Turkey video @
From:
İzmir Ephesus Tours | Turkey Travel Guide | Acetes Travel
The Ephesus is a most popular historical place in Turkey and high on every traveler's things to do list.
Its dazzling marble-columned temples and colonnaded streets are every history buff's dream, and there's plenty more to do in the vicinity once you've finished rambling through the ruins.
Ephesus sits on the edge of the vibrant town of Selçuk, which has long been a favorite stop for independent travelers. With a castle, excellent museum, Byzantine basilica, and a Roman aqueduct running straight through the center, this little town may be overshadowed by the mammoth ruin next door but has plenty of sightseeing to offer those who choose to spend a few days here.
Further Informations
Things to do in Ephesus:
Top Attractions in Ephesus:
Must do in Ephesus:
Things to know before travelling to Ephesus:
Best Time to Visit Ephesus:
Where to Stay in Ephesus:
What to Eat in Ephesus:
Ephesus Travel Tips:
Ephesus Tours www.travellineturkey.com.wmv
Visit to Ephesus Ancient City and Artemis Temple. Within Ephesus you will be seeing Harbour Street, theatre, the Marble Street, Celcius Library, the gate of Mihridates and Mazues, Commercial Agora, latrina, Hadrian Temple, the Scolastica Baths, Trajan Fountain, Curetes Street, Polio Fountain, Memnius Monument, the Temple of Domitian, the Prytaneion, Odeon and the State Agora.
At this half day Deluxe Ephesus and Artemis tour, your guide welcomes you at the exit of the customs to accompany you to your van that is at the parking lot. Cooled soft drinks and appetizers are waiting for you in your van. During a 20 minute ride to Ephesus Ancient City, your guide gives you a brief info about the area and about the country. After a guided walking at Ephesus Ancient city and a visit to the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, a delicious lunch at the authentic Caravanserail, with homemade Turkish appetizers, Kebab plate and a bottle of local Turkish wine.
Optionally, you may ask your guide for cultural demonstration of Turkish handicrafts and do a little shopping to spoil yourself after an intense day.
This tour requires minimum 1,5 hour walking. Comfortable shoes and camera are adviced.
This tour may start from Kusadasi, Izmir, Davutlar, Guzelcamli, Selcuk, Kirazli, Sirince or Ozdere. Some pick up destinations may require and extra pick up and drop off fee.
travellineturkey.com
pariseucakbileti.net
Laodicea (Laodikeia) on the Lycus, Denizli, Turkey, 5/21/2014
Laodicea on the Lycus (Greek: Λαοδίκεια πρὸς τοῦ Λύκου; Latin: Laodicea ad Lycum, also transliterated as Laodiceia or Laodikeia, earlier known as Diospolis and Rhoas; modern Turkish: Laodikeia) was the ancient metropolis of Phrygia Pacatiana (also attributed to Caria and Lydia), built on the river Lycus (Çürüksu), in Anatolia near the modern village of Eskihisar (Eski Hissar), Denizli Province, Turkey.
The ruins near Denizli (Denisli) are well preserved and as of 2012 are being substantially renovated. Its many buildings include a stadium, baths, temples, a gymnasium, theatres, and a bouleuterion. On the eastern side, the line of the ancient wall may be distinctly traced, with the remains of the Ephesus gate; there are streets traversing the town, flanked by colonnades and numerous pedestals. North of the town, towards the Lycus, are many sarcophagi, with their covers lying near them, partly imbedded in the ground, and all having been long since rifled.
West Baths Particularly interesting are the remains of an aqueduct starting several kilometres away at the Baspinar spring in Denizli, and possibly having another more distant source. Unusually, to cross the valley to the south of Laodicea, instead of the usual open channel carried above the level of the city on lofty arches as was the usual practice of the Romans, an inverted siphon was employed consisting of a double pressurised pipeline, descending into the valley and back up to the city. The low arches supporting the siphon commence near the summit of a low hill to the south where the header tank was located, and thence continue to the first terminal distribution tank (castellum aquae) at the edge of the hill of the city, whose remains are visible to the east of the stadium and South Baths complex. The water was heavily charged with calcareous matter, as several of the arches are covered with a thick incrustation where leaks occurred at later times. The siphon consisted of large carved stone pipes; some of these also are much incrusted, and some completely choked up. The terminal tank has many clay pipes of various diameters for water distribution on the north, east and south sides which, because of the choking by sinter, were replaced in time. To the west of the terminal is a small fountain next to the vaulted gate. The aqueduct appears to have been destroyed by an earthquake, as the remaining arches lean bodily on one side, without being much broken. A second distribution terminal and sedimentation tank is visible 400 meters (1,300 ft) north of the first, to which it was connected via another siphon of travertine blocks, and this one is bigger and supplied most of the city.
The stadium, which is in a good state of preservation, is near the southern extremity of the city. The seats are arranged along two sides of a narrow valley, which appears to have been taken advantage of for this purpose, and to have been closed up at both ends. Towards the west are considerable remains of a subterranean passage, by which chariots and horses were admitted into the arena, with a long inscription over the entrance. The city ruins bear the stamp of Roman extravagance and luxury, rather than of the stern and massive solidity of the Greeks. Strabo attributes the celebrity of the place to the fertility of the soil and the wealth of some of its inhabitants: among whom Hiero, having adorned the city with many beautiful buildings, bequeathed to it more than 2000 talents at his death.
Priene, Turkey
The ancient city of Priene is famous for its dramatic setting on flat table land overlooking the broad expanse of the Meander River flood plain with the steep rock of Mount Mykale at its back .
It's the northernmost of the three ancient sites (Priene, Miletus and Didyma) you can visit on a day trip from Selçuk (Ephesus) or Kuşadası.
EPHESUS TOUR BY OVERNIGHT BUSES
Day 1
Transfer to bus station . Overnight bus to Selcuk .
Day 2
You will arrive in Selcuk , our representative will meet you in the bus station and transfer to Office . Depart from Office for full day tour of Ephesus :
Ephesus Ancient City - Enter through the Magnesia Gate and begin a slow, downhill walk with your guide into the ruins of this Roman provincial capital. Your route takes you past the Odeon, The Baths of Varius , Prytaneion, Agora , the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan and the Great Theater. The theater had seating for 24,000, which was the site where it is believed St. Paul preached to the Ephesians and is used today for a local spring festival.
Celsus Library - This library is one of the most beautiful structures in Ephesus. It was built in 117 A.D. It was a monumental tomb for Gaius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, the governor of the province of Asia; from his son Galius Julius Aquila. The grave of Celsus was beneath the ground floor, across the entrance and there was a statue of Athena over it. Because Athena was the goddess of the wisdom
House of Virgin Mary - The Vatican has recognized this small house in the Solmissos Mountains as the final resting place of the Virgin Mary. A small shrine dedicated to St. Mary was found when the ruins of the house were first discovered.
The Temple of Artemis, which had been built at first during the Archaic period, today it's known one of the Seven Wonders of Ancient World.
End of tour transfer to bus station . Overnight bus to Istanbul
Day 3
Arrival Istanbul bus station.
Extra Info
Includes
What is Included in tour ?
Hotel Pick-up & drop-off - by air-conditioned non-smoking vehicles.
Round trip bus tickets
Entrance Fees mentioned by the itineraries.
Lunch
Professional Licenced Tour Guide.
Service Charges & Local Taxes.
What is Excluded in tour?
Drinks at lunch
Tips and gratuities
Personal expenses
istanbul tours, turkey tours, daily istanbul city tours, ephesus, cappadocia, pamukkale, istanbul, turkey package tours, weekly tourkey tours, rent a car turkey, rent a car istanbul, istanbul hotels, cappadocia hotels, private tours
Türkiyenin En İLGİNÇ Yeri EFES Antik Kenti - Selçuk İZMİR Gezisi
Efesi Hiç Böyle Görmediniz! 8 Bin Yıllık bir geçmişe sahip olduğu düşünülen Efes, Dünyanın 7 Harikası'ndan biri. Aynı zamanda UNESCO Dünya Mirasları Listesinde de yerini almış. Efesi Karış karış dolaşıp, öğrenebildiğim her şeyi sizlere anlattım. Benimle birlikte Siz de Gezmiş kadar olacaksınız ;)
Helenistik ve Roma döneminde en parlak zamanını yaşayan Efes Antik Kenti bir dönem 200.000 kişinin yaşadığı, bölgenin en önemli ve gelişmiş şehriymiş.
Bence Türkiye'nin En İlginç Yeri olan Efes Milattan Önceki yıllarda kültürü, mimarisi, yaşama tarzıyla döneminin çok ilerisinde bir uygarlığın izlerini taşıyor.
İzmir'in Selçuk İlçesinde bulunan Efes, dünyada mermer şehir olarak tanınmış, muhteşem bir şehir. Günümüzde ne yazık ki sadece yaklaşık %15'i ortaya çıkarılabilmiş olan şehirden bazı parçalar ise farklı müzelere (Viyana- Efes Müzesi, İzmir- Efes Müzesi, Britanya Müzesi) dağılmış durumda.
Efes şehrine giriş ücreti 60 TL. 1 Yıllık müze kart ücreti ise 70 TL. Bu yüzden müze kart alarak ziyaret etmek bence daha mantıklı.
Dünyanın Yedi Harikası Nelerdir diye saymaya başlarsanız ilk akla gelen Efes Antik Kenti'nde görebileceğiniz en önemli yapıları aşağıda sayıyorum:
*Celsus Kütüphanesi
*Antik Tiyatro
*Hadrianus Kapısı ve Tapınağı
*Traianus Çeşmesi
*Gymnasium
*Prytaneion
*Odeon
*Heracles Kapısı
*Yamaç Evler (extra ücret ödemek gerekiyor)
Maceralarıma ortak olmak, benimle birlikte dünyayı gezmek isterseniz, kanalıma ABONE OLUN! :)
Abone Ol tuşunun yanındaki ZİL' e tıklayarak yeni videoları İLK Siz İzleyin!!!! :)
TAKİP ET:
????Youtube:
???? Instagram :
????Facebook :
Mutlu geziler! :)
PRİENE -MİLET-DİDİM-PAMUKKALE
Ephesus Miletus Priene Halicarnassus Didyma
Ephesus Turkey
METROPOLİS KAZISI KISA BELGESELİ/ SHORT DOCUMENTARY OF METROPOLIS EXCAVATION
Metropolis Kazıları:
Facebook Page:
Metropolis'in ilk yerleşimi, günümüzden 5000 yıl önce Erken Tunç Çağı'nda kurulmuştur. Kentin akropolisinde yürütülen arkeolojik kazı çalışmaları sırasında burada Erken Tunç Çağı ve Orta Tunç Çağı'na ait bazı seramik parçaları ile taş baltalar ve Hitit Dönemi ile çağdaş bir mühür ele geçmiştir.
Hellenler'e ait yerleşim M.Ö. 9. yüzyıldan sonra akropolis üzerinde kurulmuştur fakat kent asıl gelişimi M.Ö. 3. yüzyılda göstermiştir. Özellikle M.Ö. 2. yüzyılda kent Pergamon Krallığı'nın himayesinde büyük gelişme kaydetmiş, tiyatro, bouleuterion ve stoa gibi anıtsal yapılar bu dönemde inşa edilmiştir.
Yoğun bir kentleşme etkinliğinin gözlendiği bu dönemi de Roma İmparatorluğu Dönemi izlemiştir. Tarih sahnesinde Metropolis ismi yine bu dönemde Aristonikos isyanına karşı Romalıların yanında yer almasıyla anılmaya başlar. Roma Dönemi'nde de gelişmesini sürdüren kent İzmir - Efes yolu üzerinde olmasından dolayı, ticaret en önemli gelir kaynağı haline gelmiştir. Bu dönemde, özellikle kentin doğu yamaçlarında, imparatorluk geleneğine uygun zengin evleri, atölyeler, dükkanlar, hamam ve spor kompleksleri yapılmıştır.
Geç Antik Çağ'da Metropolis bir piskoposluk merkezi haline gelmiş ancak savaşlar ve ekonomik nedenlerden dolayı küçülmeye başlayan kentte savunma amaçlı bir kale inşa edilmiştir. 14. yüzyıldan itibaren bölgenin Aydınoğulları Beyliği'nın eline geçmesiyle beraber Metropolis kenti de Aydınoğulları Beyliği idaresi altına girmiş ancak kent eski konumunda daha fazla yaşayamamış ve Torbalı'ya taşınmıştır. Torbalı adı, Metropolis adının yüzyıllar içinde söylenip değişerek günümüze gelmiş biçimidir. Osmanlı Dönemi'nde de bölge Kızılhisar olarak adlandırılmıştır.
Priene
Priene ist eine hellenistische Stadtanlage, die bereits zu römischen Zeiten in Bedeutungslosigkeit versunken war und deshalb niemals von den Römern überbaut wurde / Priene is a hellenistic town which was already sunken in obscurity in Roman times. Therefore it was never superstructed by the Romans
Ephesos, Turkey
Video with images of Ephesos an ancient commercial city at the Mediterranean coast of classical Asia Minor. In the period of the Roman empire the prosperous city attained its present form as an adminstrative and intellectual centre.
In the southeast of Ephesos was an odeon at a public agora with colonnade. The odeon was a also a bouleuterion for public meetings of the city council. At the west end of the public agora was a temple built for the emperor Domitian. At the entrance of the square leading to the temple was a nymphaeum with statues, reliefs and inscriptions. The Memmius monument nearby was built by a grandson of the emperor Sulla in memory of his family.
Passing the Hercules gate one desends Curetes street which was paved with marble stone slabs. At the right side of the street was a nymphaeum of the emperor Trajan. Further down the street was a temple of the emperor Hadrian which was restored in the fourth century AD. Some of the reliefs in the upper section depicted the imperial family of emperor Theodosius. Behind the temple was a public bath house with latrines.
Down at the end of Curetes Street was the library of Celsus a former governor of Asia Minor. The library had two stories with columns, statues and friezes. To the north of the Celsus library was a colonnaded street which led to the harbour. Right in front of the street was a theatre for shows of actors and gladiators.
Archaeological Sites in Turkey - Patara
HD video of the ancient ruins at the archaeological site of Patara, in the region of Lycia, Turkey. In this clip: The monumental city gate, the steep bouleuterion (council hall), paved streets and the Roman baths. Additional clips and photos of Patara and other archaeological sites in Turkey and the Mediterranean basin are available at sitesandphotos.com.
Tour of the Gymnasium at Ancient Sardis
Sardis, Turkey
Priene Antik Kenti (Aydın-Söke)
Priene Antik kenti
Efes antik kentine yaklaşık 100 km mesafede İyonlar tarafından kurulmuştur. Şehir kurulduğunda denize kıyısı vardı fakat menderes'in alüvyon taşıması sebebiyle şuan içeride kalmıştır. MÖ 545 yılında Pers Kralı Kyros tarafından ele geçirildi. Şehir, Perslere karşı İyon Başkaldırısına (MÖ 499) 12 gemi ile katıldı. Komşusu Samos ile ortaya çıkan anlaşmazlıklar ve Büyük İskender in ölümünün ardından çıkan karışıklar dolayısıyla güçsüzleşti. Roma 155 yılında şehri, Pergamon (Bergama) ve Kapadokya krallarına karşı ele geçirdi. Kapadokya kralının asi oğlu Orophernes, Romalıların şehri alması ile Priene’ye gömdüğü hazinesine ulaştı ve adak olarak şehirdeki Athena tapınağını onardı. Roma yönetimi altında zengin bir şehir olarak kaldı. MS 13. yüzyılda şehir Türklerin eline geçti.
EFES EPHESUS DREAM CITY - ANCIENT CITYS e08 - with ENG subtitle
Located within what was once the estuary of the River Kaystros, Ephesus comprises successive Hellenistic and Roman settlements founded on new locations, which followed the coastline as it retreated westward. Excavations have revealed grand monuments of the Roman Imperial period including the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre. Little remains of the famous Temple of Artemis, one of the “Seven Wonders of the World,” which drew pilgrims from all around the Mediterranean. Since the 5th century, the House of the Virgin Mary, a domed cruciform chapel seven kilometres from Ephesus, became a major place of Christian pilgrimage. The Ancient City of Ephesus is an outstanding example of a Roman port city, with sea channel and harbour basin.
Within what was once the estuary of the river Kaystros, a continuous and complex settlement history can be traced in Ephesus beginning from the seventh millennium BCE at Cukurici Mound until the present at Selçuk. Favourably located geographically, it was subject to continuous shifting of the shore line from east to west due to sedimentation, which led to several relocations of the city site and its harbours. The Neolithic settlement of Cukurici Mound marking the southern edge of the former estuary is now well inland, and was abandoned prior to settlement on the Ayasuluk Hill from the Middle Bronze Age. Founded by the 2nd millennium BCE, the sanctuary of the Ephesian Artemis, originally an Anatolian mother goddess, became one of the largest and most powerful sanctuaries of the ancient world. The Ionian cities that grew up in the wake of the Ionian migrations joined in a confederacy under the leadership of Ephesus. In the fourth century BCE, Lysimachos, one of the twelve generals of Alexander the Great, founded the new city of Ephesus, while leaving the old city around the Artemision. When Asia Minor was incorporated into the Roman Empire in 133 BCE, Ephesus was designated as the capital of the new province Asia. Excavations and conservation over the past 150 years have revealed grand monuments of the Roman Imperial period lining the old processional way through the ancient city including the Library of Celsus and terrace houses. Little remains of the famous Temple of Artemis, one of the ‘seven wonders of the world’ which drew pilgrims from all around the Mediterranean until it was eclipsed by Christian pilgrimage to the Church of Mary and the Basilica of St. John in the 5th century CE. Pilgrimage to Ephesus outlasted the city and continues today. The Mosque of Isa Bey and the medieval settlement on Ayasuluk Hill mark the advent of the Selçuk and Ottoman Turks.
Ephesus is an exceptional testimony to the cultural traditions of the Hellenistic, Roman Imperial and early Christian periods as reflected in the monuments in the centre of the Ancient City and Ayasuluk. The cultural traditions of the Roman Imperial period are reflected in the outstanding representative buildings of the city centre including the Celsus Library, Hadrian’s Temple, the Serapeion and Terrace House 2, with its wall paintings, mosaics and marble panelling showing the style of living of the upper levels of society at that time.
Historical accounts and archaeological remains of significant traditional and religious Anatolian cultures beginning with the cult of Cybele/Meter until the modern revival of Christianity are visible and traceable in Ephesus, which played a decisive role in the spread of Christian faith throughout the Roman Empire. The extensive remains of the Basilica of St. John on Ayasuluk Hill and those of the Church of Mary in Ephesus are testament of the city’s importance to Christianity. Two important Councils of the early Church were held at Ephesus in 431 and 449 CE, initiating the veneration of Mary in Christianity, which can be seen as a reflection of the earlier veneration of Artemis and the Anatolian Cybele. Ephesus was also the leading political and intellectual centre, with the second school of philosophy in the Aegean, and Ephesus as a cultural and intellectual centre had great influence on philosophy and medicine.