Showing 1-7 of 7 results
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Basilica of St John
St John is said to have come to Ephesus twice: once between AD 37 and AD 48 with the Virgin Mary, and again at the end of his life, when he wrote his gospel on Ayasuluk Hill. A 4th-century tomb was believed to house his remains, so in the 6th century Emperor Justinian (527-65) erected a magnificent church, the Basilica of St John, on top of the tomb.
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Byzantine Aqueduct
The impressive remains of a Byzantine aqueduct serve today as a handy nesting place for storks who return to the same spots on it year after year. Eggs are laid in late April or May, and the birds stay right through to September.
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Citadel
Ayasuluk Hill offers fine views of the sites surrounding the Basilica of St John. The hilltop citadel to the north was constructed by the Byzantines in the 6th century, rebuilt by the Seljuks and restored in modern times. There is a Seljuk mosque and a ruined church inside but the citadel remains closed since part of the wall collapsed. Restoration work is under way and it should eventually reopen, though lack of funding appears to be holding it up currently.
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Crisler Library
A new arrival to Selçuk, Crisler Library is the result of a bequest from a distinguished American biblical scholar and archaeologist, B Cobbey Crisler. Proving to be a terrific source of information on the ancient, classical, biblical and Islamic history of the area, it also boasts a full lecture program, a well-stocked bookshop and a coffee shop.
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Ephesus Museum
The excellent Ephesus Museum houses a striking collection of artefacts brought to life by some good information panels, photos and dioramas. Don't miss the delightful figure of Cupid riding a dolphin, and the exquisitely carved marble statues of Cybele/Artemis. Look out also for the unsettlingly realistic busts of the Roman emperors, including a huge one of the unpleasant Emperor Domition, and the effigies of Priapus, the phallic god plastered on every postcard from İstanbul to Antakya.
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İsa Bey Camii
The imposing and beautiful İsa Bey Camii was built in 1375 by the Emir of Aydın in a post-Seljuk/pre-Ottoman transitional style. There's a bust of İsa Bey diagonally opposite. The mosque is usually open to visitors except at prayer times. Leave your shoes at the door and remember to cover up properly.
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Temple of Artemis
Ephesus used to earn sizeable sums of money from pilgrims paying homage to the ancient Anatolian fertility goddess Cybele/Artemis. The fabulous Temple of Artemis, between Ephesus and Selçuk, was once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. In its prime it was larger than the Parthenon at Athens, with 127 columns, all with figures carved around the base. Unfortunately, little more than one pillar now remains, but it's well worth a visit.
Showing 1-7 of 7 results
