The ancient city of Ephesus (Turkish:
Efes), located near the Aegean Sea in modern day Turkey, was one of the
great cities of the Greeks in Asia Minor.
In
ancient times Ephesus was the home of the Temple of Artemis, one of the
Seven Wonders of the World. Today, the ruins of Ephesus are a major
tourist attraction, especially for travelers on Mediterranean cruises.
Ephesus remains a sacred site for Christians due to its association with
several biblical figures, including St. Paul, St. John the Evangelist and
the Virgin Mary.The
best preserved and restored ancient city in Turkey!
Visit
Ephesus which is known to be Commercial, the Religious and Social Center
of Antiquity, and one of the highlights of any visit in Turkey. With the
mythological stories and spectacular ruins you will feel the life in
ancient Ephesus.
You will
visit the Fountains of Trojan, Polio, The Temples of Hadrian and Domition,
Private House, the Library of Celsus, Various and Scholastic Baths,
Bouloterion and the Great Theatre with capacity of 24.000 spectators.
After
enjoying the Turkish cuisine at lunch, you will visit the House of Virgin
Mary, where she spent last days of her life. Visit the Archaeological
Museum of Ephesus.
Ephesus, Basilica
of St. John,
House of the Virgin Mary,Ephesus
Museum
Upon your
request we are meeting at airport or pick you up from hotel around
Izmir
,we drive
to
Ephesus -
Enter through the Magnesia Gate and begin a slow, downhill walk with your
guide into the ruins of this Roman provincial capital. Your route takes
you past the Odeon, the
Celsus
Library, the
Temple of
Hadrian, the
Fountain of Trajan and the
Great Theater.
The theater had seating for 24,000, which was the site where it is
believed St. Paul preached to the Ephesians, and is used today for a local
spring festival.
Basilica
of St. John - Built by the Emperor Justinian over the tomb of St. John
the Apostle, the Basilica, now in ruins, once rivaled
St. Sophia
in size. See the remaining graceful columns and mosaics of the Basilica as
you take in the panorama of the rural Selcuk countryside and the ruins of
the Temple of
Artemis.
House of
the Virgin Mary - The Vatican has recognized this small house in the
Solmissos Mountains as the final resting place of the Virgin Mary. A small
shrine dedicated to St. Mary was found when the ruins of the house were
first discovered.
Ephesus
Museum - This small museum in Selcuk boasts an incredible collection of
Hellenistic and Roman statues, carved reliefs and artifacts unearthed from
the ruins of
Ephesus. The famous statue of Artemis (goddess of fertility) is housed
there.
Upon your
request we are meeting at airport or pick you up from hotel around
Izmir and tour
to Ephesus
Enter the Magnesia Gate and explore the ruins of
Ephesus on a
guided walking tour. Visit the Basilica built over the grave of St. John.
Then travel to the final resting place of the Virgin Mary.
Ephesus -
Enter through the Magnesia Gate and begin a slow, downhill walk with your
guide into the ruins of this Roman provincial capital. Your route takes
you past the Odeon, the
Celsus
Library, the
Temple of
Hadrian, the
Fountain of Trajan and the Great Theater. The theater had seating for
24,000, which was the site where it is believed St. Paul preached to the
Ephesians, and is used today for a local spring festival.
Basilica
of St. John - Built by the Emperor Justinian over the tomb of St. John
the Apostle, the Basilica, now in ruins, once rivaled
St. Sophia
in size. See the remaining graceful columns and mosaics of the Basilica as
you take in the panorama of the rural Selcuk countryside and the ruins of
the Temple of
Artemis.
House of
the Virgin Mary - The Vatican has recognized this small house in the
Solmissos Mountains as the final resting place of the Virgin Mary. A small
shrine dedicated to St. Mary was found when the ruins of the house were
first discovered.
Upon your request we are meeting
at airport or pick you up from hotel around
Izmir,tour to
Ephesus -
Enter through the Magnesia Gate and walk downhill with your guide into the
ruins of this Roman provincial capital. Your route takes you past the
Odeon, the
Celsus Library, the
Temple of
Hadrian, the
Fountain of Trajan and the Great Theatre. It was here that Paul
preached to the Ephesians. The theater has seating for 24,000 and is used
today for a local spring festival.
House of
the
Virgin Mary The Vatican has recognized this small house in the
Solmissos Mountains as the final resting place of the Virgin Mary. A small
shrine dedicated to St. Mary was found when the ruins of the house were
discovered.
Upon your
request we are meeting at airport or pick you up from hotel around
Izmir,we drive
to Bergama,
Bergama is home to two of the country's most celebrated archaeological
sites: the
Acropolis and the
Asklepion
of ancient
Pergamum, both listed among the top 100 historical sites on the
Mediterranean.
Built on a conical hill rising 1,000 feet above the
surrounding valley,
Pergamum (or
Pergamon) was an important capital city in ancient times. Its Greek name
means "citadel." The modern city of
Bergama, 150
miles north of
Izmir, is the successor of ancient
Pergamum.
Most of the extraordinary buildings and monuments in
Bergama date
to the time of Eumenes II (197-159 BC), including the famed library, the
terrace of the spectacularly sited hillside theater, the main palace, the
Altar of Zeus, and the propylaeum of the Temple of Athena. In the early
Christian era,
Pergamum's church was a major center of Christianity and was one of
the Seven Churches of Revelation
(Rev. 2:12-17).
The ancient city is composed of three main parts: the
Acropolis,
whose main function was social and cultural as much as it was sacred; the
Lower City, or realm of the lower classes; and the
Asklepion,
one of the earliest medical centers on record.
Upon
your request we are meeting at airport or pick you up from hotel around
Izmir, tour to
Hierapolis/Pamukkale
As we approach
Pamukkale
it looks like a glacier is spilling down the mountainside. The name
translates to Cotton Castle. In truth these are glistening white
travertine terraces formed over millennia by mineral deposits as water
flowed out of natural springs. The water is credited with healing powers.
It is alleged that Cleopatra swam in one of the pools that is open to the
public. Nearby are the ruins of the Roman resort,
Hierapolis,
and a large necropolis.
Upon your request we are meeting at airport or pick you up
from hotel around
Izmir, and
tour to
Priene,
Miletus,
Didyma
Ephesus
may be the crΛme-de-la-crΛme of the Aegean ruins but
Priene,
Miletus
and
Didyma
though less frequently visited are still important ancient settlements.
Priene
occupies a dramatic postion overlooking the Meander Valley and plain.
Miletus
preserves a spectacular theater. And
Didyma
has a Temple of Apollo vaguely reminiscent of the great temples at
Karnak.Return to Hotel
