Ephesus Ancient City & House of Virgin Mary
Ephesus had been a trade center of the ancient world, because Ephesus is in that location where trade roads end by land and from the harbors of the city continuous to Europa by sea.
Other reason is Ephesus always been an important cult center of Mothergoddes, Kybele or Artemis in Greek period and later all these female figures converted in to Mother Mary and also Ephesus is considered to one of the most well-preserved ancient cities from Greko-Roman period where you can imagine easily how people lived 2000 years ago. Visit to ruins of ancient city Ephesus is the most important visit of the day. You will walk through the original streets of the city which is 2000 years old. You will enter city from upper gate from the official part of the city. First, we will visit bouleuterion, the parliament building of the city. So do not expect to see a palace of a king here because Ephesus never been a kingdom. After Greek colonization city was a Greek federation, 1 century B.C. Ephesus became a state of Roman empire. Thats how you will see Greek and Roman style together in this city architecture.
After you will walk down to Domitian's square, you will see beautiful Nike relief. Then you will pass through the Hercules gate where you have a general look to the city center. You will walk by the Trajan fountain, Hadrian temple, public toilets and reach to the most important monument in Ephesus, Library of Celsus. Last visit point will be great public theater which has a capacity of 25.000 people, one of the biggest in the World.
Other visit during the tour will be House of Virgin Mary. As it is believed when Jesus' crucifixion, he left his mother to the guard of St. John the Evangelist and because of his mission St John travelled to Ephesus with Mother Mary where Virgin Mary. spent her last days and deceased. The Vatican has recognized this small house as the final resting place of the Virgin Mary. You will have lunch in a local restaurant.
As before the Christianity period Ephesus was the Major center of Artemis worship one of the most spectacular Temple of all the times built for Artemis here in Ephesus where we call Artemision or temple of Artemis. Artemis temple had been a pilgrim center for pagans of those times and been the very first example of banking in history as merchants left their valuable things to the mercy of Artemis. Today only one pillar left from the temple but the view from the temple is spectacular.
lsa Bey Mosque is another visit in Selcuk town which is in the old center of Selcuk and surrounded by old Turkish houses. This mosque is from 14 century, Turkish period and built before the conquest of Istanbul which makes this modest mosque very different than imperial Islamic architecture. There will be visits for local arts like pottery, weaving course and opportunity try local tastes during tour.
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