Ancient City of Ephesus

Ephesus (Ephesus/Efes) is a large city established by the ancient Greeks in Asia Minor. Most of the current ruins are left. The ruins of Ephesus are a famous tourist spot in Turkey. Part of this once famous city is today the Turkish town of Selcuk.

Since the Roman Republic, Ephesus has been the capital of the province of Asia Minor (western Asia Minor), known as "the first and largest metropolis in Asia, it is famous for the temple of Artemis (the chief shrine of the goddess Diana), the library Famous for its theatres. In addition, several different large baths were built in Ephesus under Roman rule.

The Virgin Mary died in Ephesus. The former residence of the Virgin Mary, 7 kilometers away from Selcuk, the Catholic Church believes that Ephesus is the last home of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Only part of the ruins of Ephesus have been excavated so far. The part that has been excavated shows us the original prosperity of the city. The library has been reconstructed according to its original shape. Of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, only a few columns remain. Most of the art unearthed from the temple is housed in the British Museum. Turkey's annual camel wrestling championship is held every winter in the Hippodrome of ancient Ephesus.

The two entrances of the ancient city of Ephesus are 3 kilometers apart. Generally, tourists will choose to enter from the upper door, go all the way down, and exit through the back door (lower door).