The ancient city of Ephesus is a large archeological site. It was once the trade center of the ancient world, a religious center of early Christianity and today, an important tourism center in Selcuk, Turkey. The small town is 18 miles away from Kusadasi. Established as a port, Ephesus used to be the most important commercial center and played a great role in ancient times with its strategic location. In 356 BC the Greeks built the Artemesium. The colossal ionic temple was dedicated to Artemis, the fertility goddess. It is one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Since the 5th century, the House of the Virgin Mary, a domed cruciform chapel 4 miles from Ephesus, became a major place of Christian pilgrimage. Starting in 1869, the excavations have brought out an amazing city, attracting 3 million visitors each year. Excavations and restorations still continue to this day. In 2015 Ephesus was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Small List
Things to Do
Ancient Ephesus – Stroll down the well-preserved Roman streets, gaze at the monuments, and soak up the ancient soul of this ruined city. Make sure to have enough time to explore. You’ll find plenty of things to do in Ephesus and so much history to absorb. Even a short tour of the highlights will take half a day.