Just Some Snapshots from Ephesus, Turkey
Thanks to an online friend who inspired me to visit the ancient Greek city of Ephesus. Later, it became a major Roman city on the Ionian coast according to history. Now, it is in Selçuk, Izmir Province, Turkey. I hope this is not quite complicated. Thanks to our Turkish tour guide who speaks very good German and explained to us the history of Ephesus.
The ruins of Ephesus during our visit last Sept. 2011. © www.theeuroblog.com
“The ancient Greek city of Ephesus was famous for its Temple of Artemis (near present-day Selçuk), which was recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.”
I was so glad to visit historical sites like this. It never came to my mind that I was enabled to visit this ancient city. I just admired how the people during those times built such a magnificent city like Ephesus! It was truly amazing!
The Celsus Library. © www.theeuroblog.com
“The Celsus Library is the most beautiful structure of Roman times. It has a two story facade. When Ephesus governor Celsus died in 106 AD, his son had the library built as his monument and grave. The sarcophagus is under the west wall of the library. Four female statues represent the qualities of human character: Sophia (wisdom), Arete (goodness), Ennoia (judgement), and Episteme (knowledge). The originals are in Vienna’s Ephesus Museum.”
The heat during our visit did not stopped us from our sightseeing. Everyone was quite excited when our tour guide announced the before that our next station will be Ephesus. It was truly a worth to visit site!
The Great Theater, seating capacity 24,000. It was under renovation when we visited it. © www.theeuroblog.com
“The Great Theater is the best preserved theater in the Greco-Roman world. This was the site of a mass riot in which St. Paul’s life was threatened by the silversmiths of Ephesus for his preaching against the cult of Artemis.”
December 6th, 2013 at 4:04 am
I would love to visit this place someday 🙂 By the way, I think this is also the place where the Ephesians church was located. St. Paul wrote a letter to the Ephesians (Ephesian church) which we have today as part of the Bible’s New Testament (Book of Ephesians) 🙂