Discover the land of history from ancient Ephesus to modern Selçuk... Don't miss visiting one of the 7 wonders of antiquity, The Artemis Temple!
Ephesus Ancient City is located in the Selçuk district of İzmir. Ephesus was one of the twelve cities of Ionia during the Classical Greek period. Residence in Ephesus dates back to the Neolithic Age, 6000 BC. Ephesus was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015. You can immerse yourself in its fascinating history while exploring well-preserved ruins such as the Ephesus Ancient Theatre, Celsus Library, Odeon, Agora, Hadrian's Temple, Terrace Houses and ancient toilets. Discover the magic of Ephesus, a magnificent ancient city with a rich history and breathtaking ruins.
The House of the Virgin Mary is located on the Bülbül Mountain 9 kilometers from Selçuk. It is believed that St. John brought the Virgin Mary to Ephesus, 4 or 6 years after the death of Jesus. In this house, rituals are held on the 15th day of every August since the visit of Pope Paul VI. When you come to İzmir, you should definitely visit the holy and special the House of Virgin Mary.
Ephesus Museum is located in the Selçuk town center. The museum is open all year round and the majority of the artifacts are from the excavations of the ancient city of Ephesus, St. Jean Church, Belevi Mausoleum and other nearby ruins. Two large sculptures of Artemis, a bust of Eros, Eros with dolphin sculpture, and a bust of Socrates are some of the world-renowned works of the Ephesus Museum. You can step back in time and explore the rich cultural heritage of ancient Ephesus at the breathtaking Ephesus Museum.
The Temple of Artemis in Ephesus was built with the help of King Croesus in the middle of the 6th century BC and it is 115 meters long and 55 meters wide. The temple is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Dedicated to the goddess Artemis, the temple was built entirely of white marble. The magnificent view seen from the temple of Artemis will offer you the opportunity to see the magnificent works of Paganism, Christianity and Islam religions in the same photo frame!
The story of the Seven Sleepers has been known in Anatolia for centuries and is included in religious scriptures. The seven young Christians living in the reign of Emperor Decius escaped from the city and hid in a cave here, as they did not want to present a sacrifice in Emperor's Temple. They fell asleep for a couple of hundred years in this cave. Upon waking up at the time of Theodosius II, they learned that the official religion was Christianity. You can experience the mystery of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus, a story that has captured the imagination of tourists.
Selçuk (Ayasuluk) Castle – The St. Jean Monument
The castle which is located on the highest part of the hill north of the St. Jean Church is the previous settlement of the Ephesus according to the latest research. The city walls that can be seen today belong to the Byzantine, Aydınoğulları and Ottoman periods. Within the castle are stone-paved streets, cisterns of various sizes, a mosque, and the remains of a church at the top. This church is the church where the tomb of the Bible writer St. Jean is located. You can discover the crown of the district of Selçuk!
İsabey Mosque is located on the southwest of the hill between the Temple of Artemis and the Basilica of St. Jean in the İzmir district of Selçuk. The mosque was built in 1375 by Aydınoğlu İsa Bey and Its architect is Ali Bin Müşeymeş el-Dımışki. Columns and other construction materials brought from Ephesus and The Temple of Artemis have been used for the construction of the mosque. You can enjoy the unique view of the İsabey Mosque.
The village of Şirince, 8 km east of Selçuk, is an exchange village. Drawing attention to its cafes and fountains as well as the houses in the village, Şirince is also quite famous for its local fruit wines. Built in the 19th century, St. John the Baptist Church and St. Demetrius Church are only two of the historical structures of the village. You can walk through its small cobblestone streets, enjoy the surrounding landscape, and sample the local wines, olive oils, and other regional delicacies.
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