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EPHESUS
A
visit to Efes (Ephesus) - once the commercial center
of the ancient world - is a highlight of any visit to
Turkey The city, whose wealth and patronage supported
its splendid architectural program, was dedicated to
the goddess Artemis. Her enormous temple, once
considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient
World and rebuilt several times, dates in its latest
form from the third century B.C. The ruins also
include a theater, gymnasium, agora and baths, as well
as the Library of Celsus. The nearby town of Selcuk is
dominated by a Byzantine citadel which stands close to
the 6th century basilica of St. John built on the site
of the Apostle's tomb. The 14th century Isa Bey Mosque,
next to the basilica is accessed through its typical
Seljuk portal.
The
Archaeological Museum houses an impressive collection
of statues and other finds recovered during the
excavations of Ephesus. The nearby Turkish Bath Museum
, built in the 16th century, shows Turkish life at the
hamam (bath). The Ephesus International Festival is
held annually in May. It is recorded that St. John
brought the Virgin Mary to Ephesus after the death of
Christ and that she spent her last days in a small
house (Meryemana Evi) built for her on Bulbuldagi (Mt.
Koressos). Now a popular place of pilgrimage for
Christians and Muslims the house has received the
official sanction of the Vatican, and Christians
observe a commemoration ceremony every year on August
15th. Near Selcuk in Camlik is a TCDD Open-air Steam
Locomotives Museum. 9 km east of Selcuk is Sirince,
known for its traditional 19th-century village houses,
some of which have been converted into guest-houses.
Wine is produced in this small hillside Turkish
village, which itself resembles an open-air museum. 18
km from Selcuk are wine-houses, for tasting the wines. |
