The city of Ephesus is one of the few ancient cities that have been restored during archaeological excavations. And although today it no longer looks as majestic as it was thousands of years ago, its architecture deserves attention, and crowds of tourists tend to look behind a piece of one of the wonders of the world - the Temple of Artemis.
Historical landmarks of Ephesus
During archaeological excavations on the territory of Ephesus, traces of settlements were discovered, dating back to 9500 BC. e. There were also found tools from the Bronze Age, and more recently scientists reported the discovery of an entire cemetery with burials from 1500-1400 BC. The city of Ephesus gradually grew and developed, so it is not surprising that it played an important role in history. It used to stand on the seashore and was a key port for trade.
The Roman Empire had a strong influence on the city, which is especially noticeable in the preserved architectural monuments. In the 7-8 centuries, the city of Ephesus was constantly attacked by the Arab tribes, as a result of which most of it was plundered and destroyed. In addition, the sea waters were moving away from the coast more and more, which made the city no longer a port. By the 14th century, from the once key center, ancient Ephesus turned into a village, and in the next century it became completely deserted.
Sights that have come down to the present
The most famous place to visit is the Temple of Artemis, although nothing remains of it. Previously, he was a real wonder of the world, about which legends were made. There are also references to him in the biblical writings.
As a result of archaeological excavations, it was possible to restore only the column from the famous landmark, but even it is worth looking at in order to appreciate the scope of ancient buildings and pay tribute to the goddess of fertility.
Among other historical monuments most often visited:
- The Celsius Library;
- Odeon;
- Theatre;
- Agora;
- Temple of Hadrian;
- Brothel;
- Hillside Houses or Rich Man's Houses;
- house of Peristyle II;
- Basilica of St. John;
- Kuretov street.
We advise you to read about the city of Teotihuacan.
Most of the sites mentioned are partially destroyed, but thanks to the ongoing restoration work, they have been maintained in a form that any tourist can admire. The spirit of antiquity is felt in every stucco and carving.
You can visit the museum with artifacts obtained during the excavations. On excursions, they will not only lead you through the most beautiful streets of a previously forgotten city, but also tell you interesting facts related to Ephesus.
Useful for tourists
For those who want to know where the ancient city of Ephesus is, it is worth staying in Selcuk for a few days. This small settlement on the territory of modern Turkey is located closest to the ancient city, which cannot be bypassed in one day. If a
You can get and move around on foot or by taxi. The beauty of Ephesus is so diverse that any photo taken will become a real masterpiece, because the history of the city is deeply rooted in the past, each of the eras of which has left its mark.
