Ephesus Ancient City

Having a famous port city at that time Ephesus's ancient city was enabled to progress rapidly in trade, culture, and art and it became one of the wealthiest cities of that period. All over the city, magnificent temples, the largest library in the region, and the school of philosophy were established. Over time, alluvial brought by the river filling the harbor away from the sea of Ephesus gradually began to lose its commercial power. After major earthquakes, and wars Ephesus's ancient city left behind its glorious days.

All About Ephesus

Ephesus was the most important port city of the region throughout history. This enabled the ancient city of Ephesus to develop as a political and commercial center. The temple of Artemis, based on the tradition of the goddess (Kybele) in Anatolia, is also located in Ephesus. The Temple of Artemis is considered one of the seven wonders of the world. Today, Ephesus is 3 km away from the Selçuk district of İzmir and is known as the ancient Greek city of the Roman period. It was one of the twelve cities of Ionia during the classical Greek period. The foundation of the ancient city of Ephesus dates back to the 6000 BC Neolithic Age.

Bronze Age and Hittite settlements were found on the mounds (prehistoric hill settlements) around Ephesus and on Ayasuluk Hill, where the castle is located. The name of Ephesus was Apasas in the Hittite period. It is thought that immigrants from Greece started living in 1050 BC. It is known that the ancient city was moved around the Temple of Artemis in 560. Today's ancient city of Ephesus was built in BC. by Lysimachus, one of the generals of the Great Alexander. It was founded 300 years. It is known that it reached up to 200,000 inhabitants in Hellenistic and Roman times. The city of Ephesus fell into the hands of the Turks in 1330, and it is the Ayasuluk region, the center of Aydınoğulları, which started to shrink in the 16th century. Ephesus, is an important ancient city, in BC. Throughout its history dating back to the 4th millennium BC, civilization has played important roles in science, culture, and art. It served as the gateway between East and West.

Prytaneion City Hall is a place where diplomatic relations administration was held and its halls are equipped with statues of gods and emperors. Artemis statues, one of the most valuable works of the Ephesus Museum, were found during the excavations there. There was a sacred fire on the altar of the Goddess Hestia, since this fire represented the independence and immortality of the city, the sacred fire would be burned without ever extinguishing. It is very pleasant to imagine the flames reaching from the altar to the sky of Ephesus.

The Odeon (Theater)

The Odeon theater had city council meetings, theater, and competitions were held in it. The Odeon theater in Ephesus Antique City has a capacity of ​​1400 people. Since there are no gutters to drain the rainwater on the stage, it is designed as a covered theater. Nowadays, hosting classical music concerts and jazz festivals are held on. Experience the privilege of listening to concerts in the magnificent atmosphere of this unique architecture. Feel the healing and integrating effect of music by sitting in the same order as the ancient civilizations of the ancient city.

Scholastica Bath-Ephesus 

Scholastica Bath is a 3-story building with an entrance on Kuretler Street. Baths have always been important. The first important point is that the poor are free-charged. Perhaps the most important element of that civilization seems to be struggling with class segregation and providing everyone with the most basic needs such as cleanliness. The second point is the use of advanced technology compared to that period. There is a central heating system in the bath. Hot water vapor circulates through all the rooms through the channels they built into the walls. It is a very important structure to understand the progress of Ephesus among civilized societies. The bath was a place not only for cleaning bodies but also for socializing and having fun.

Kuretler Street is the most functional street in the city, from Heracles Gate to Celsus Library. The large sewage system underground covered with marble plaques proves the level of civilization that the city had reached at that time. 'Monumental buildings such as Fountain, Hadrian Temple, and Skolastika baths are located on this street.

Domitian Temple

Domitian Temple is located on the road from the Odeon to the entrance of Kuretler Street. Ephesians built this temple to show their gratitude for and possibilities provided by Emperor Domitian. Domitian was the first emperor to build a temple in Ephesus. Since the cult statue in the temple was destroyed by the adoption of Christianity, it has no surviving parts other than the head and arm. The fragments of the statue are exhibited in Izmir Archaeology Museum and in the entrance altar of the temple in the Ephesus Museum.

Celsus Library is the most spectacular building in Ephesus. There are four female statues on the outer wall rising in all their glory. These sculptures symbolize wisdom (Sophia), knowledge (episteme), reason (eunoia), and virtue (arete). Celsus Library was built in memory of Roman senator Celsus after his death, it is also a monumental tomb. Under the western wall of the structure is the sarcophagus of Celsus. Celsus Library. It had 14,000 books at the time, it was one of the richest in the ancient world. It is such that the wise Heraclitus, dream expressionist Artemidoros, the poet Callinos, and physician Sorano play an important role in the growth of famous people. The sun, softly descending behind the library in the afternoon, offers a visual feast where you can capture creative photos.

Love House

Ashk House is located at the intersection of Kuretler Street and Marble Street. The favorite place for sailors is coming to Ephesus. Love House is connected to both the Celsus Library and Skolastika Bath with a secret passageway. These passages were made for the men of Ephesus who wanted to escape to reach the house without getting caught. The building consists of a main corridor and rooms leading up to this corridor. It is known that men entered after a short ritual in front of the statue of Aphrodite at the entrance. Who knows how many hidden loves witnessed this house decorated with mosaics depicting the four seasons