Ephesus Information, Ephesus Turkey

Currently situated in the delta where the Kucuk Menderes (Caystros) River reaches the Aegean Sea, Ephesus was moved a number of times due to natural causes. One of the leading centers and important ports of Antique lonia, the city was gradually pushed away from the sea by the fertile alluvial deposits , fully losing its port quality throughout the course of 2500 years after being pushed in by 9 km.

Ephesus, which would eventually be situated in the valley of Mount Panayır (Pion in Antiquity)and Mount Bülbül (Croessus in Antiquity) in the Hellenistic period where the site is today, encircled the temple from the second half of the 500 BC. to the early 300 BC. A majority of what remains from this edifice and its vicinity ,which provided immunity to all the people in its holy circle, is displayed in the Hall of Artemis Ephesia of the Ephesus Museum in the from of art objects and artifacts-along with a portian that is in the British Museum. The most valuable pieces in this hall, the two big Artemis statues have been found in the City Hall (Prytaneum) of the Antique Ephesus.

In the 560 BC. ,the city was under the siege of Croesus , the king of Lydia. The King granted a major source of funding in order to build the Temple of Artemis, which would unite the peoples in the area. The temple, carrying on the mother goddess cult that prevailed in this land since ancient times, attracted people of belief from all around the world to Ephesus for years .The Temple of Artemis is known as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Top-Rated Attractions in Ephesus

The Ephesus is a most popular historical place in Turkey and high on every traveler’s things to do list.

Its dazzling marble-columned temples and colonnaded streets are every history buff’s dream, and there’s plenty more to do in the vicinity once you’ve finished rambling through the ruins.

Ephesus sits on the edge of the vibrant town of Selçuk, which has long been a favorite stop for independent travelers. With a castle, excellent museum, Byzantine basilica, and a Roman aqueduct running straight through the center, this little town may be overshadowed by the mammoth ruin next door but has plenty of sightseeing to offer those who choose to spend a few days here.

Ephesus City walls and gates

Because of their fertile land and favorable location, the Ephesians feared attacks and sieges of their city from very early in their history. The greatest danger lurked to the east, where the harbor of Ephesus was viewed as the so-called gateway to the west.

When Lysimachos, one of the generals of Alexander the Great, refounded the city in the third century BCE , he gave special attention to its defensive capabilities, and erected the massive city wall. Because of the excellent technique of their construction and masonry, these ruind are among the most beautiful examples from the Hellenistic age, although they have partially disappeared in the flatlands.

Magnesian Gate Ephesus

The Magnesian Gate, to the southeast of the city, was constructed in the third century BCE along with the city wall. The investigations around this gate, which are still in progress, have revealed that this gate was converted into a monumental gate with three entrances in the first century BCE

Ephesus Odeon

The odeon, built into the south slope of Panayır Dağı, is like a small theater. Its location north of the state agora and next to the prytaneion suggests that it also fulfilled the function of a bouleuterion (meeting place of the council of elders, or senate). An inscription tells us that Publius Vedius a Antoninus built the odeon in the middle of the second century CE.

Basilica in Ephesus

The three-aisled basilica, 165 meters long and dating from the first century CE, stands between the odeon and the state agora. It is a typical example of a Roman basilica. Its purpose was to foster trade, so it approximated the function of an exchange. Its location among government buildings such as the state agora, the prytaneion, and the odeon facilitated this role.

Ephesus Prytaneion

After the Temple of Artemis, the prytaneion, to the northwest of the state agora, was the most important structure in the city. The holy fire of Hestia burned continuously in it. The Ephesians held political discussions here, entertained official guest.

Ephesus, The gate of Hercules

A monumental structure stands on Kouretes Street in front of its intersection with Domitian Street. Because it contains a relief of Herakles, it is called the “Gate of Hercules. The Gate of Hercules had two stories with a broad, arched passageway carried by six columns. Reliefs of Nike decorated both sides of the arch. Part of one of them can be seen on Domitian Street.

Ephesus The Inscription Museum

After archaeologists had concluded the excavations on the east side of the Temple of Domitian, they moved the inscribed blocks found in Ephesus that had historical value there. More than 2000 inscriptions have been found already. They give us evidence of the decisions taken by the council of elders and the assembly of citizens, honors awarded , verdicts rendered, and commands issued by emperors and kings.

The Temple of Artemis

In the 560 BC. ,the city was under the siege of Croesus , the king of Lydia. The King granted a major source of funding in order to build the Temple of Artemis, which would unite the peoples in the area. The temple, carrying on the mother goddess cult that prevailed in this land since ancient times, attracted people of belief from all around the world to Ephesus for years .The Temple of Artemis is known as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

The Temples of Dea Roma and Divus Julius Caesar

To the east of the prytaneion are two temples standing next to one another . Walls from later times all but obscure the original floor plan. They were prostyle temples in the lonic order. The facades face the south. When Augustus visited Ephesus in 29 BCE, he granted permission to build this neokoros (“temple warden”) temple. It was the first of its kind in Ephesus. One was dedicated to the goddess Roma (Dea Roma), and the other, to Augustus’s adoptive father, the divinized (Divus) Julius Caesar. During the Roman period, it was a great distinction for a city to receive the right to built an imperial “neakoros” temple. Thus , one finds these temples only in the most important cities, such as Ephesus, Pergamon, and Smyrna.

Ephesus Marble Road

The marble road runs between the Library of Celsus and the theater, and is part of the sacred way, vvhich, from here, winds its way around Panayır Dağı. It is paved with large, level blocks of marble. On its eastem side, it was lined with a colonnade like those along the sides of Kouretes Street. In the west, the floor level of the colonnade was raised about two meters during the reign of Nero (54-68 CE), and it was converted into a stoa.

What might be an advertisement for the brothel was found on the narrow sidewalk on the Street side of the stoa. It has a female head, a left foot, a heart, and a Byzantine inscription.

How much is Ephesus Antique City entrance fee?

The entrance fee of the city is 40 TL as of January 2018. Except for the entrance to Yamaç Evler and Ephesus Museum; Slope Houses are 20 TL, Efes Museum is 10 TL.

When is Ephesus Ancient City open?

Ancient City of Ephesus is open from April to October 08.00-19.00. Between November and March 08.00-17.00 hours open.

Where is Ephesus Ancient City?

Ancient city of Ephesus, Izmir, Selcuk, an ancient ruins of the town.

– 541 kilometers between istanbul and central Ephesus, 6 hours and 20 minutes.
– Ankara, Ephesus 620 km 7 hours 20 minutes,
– 80 km 55 km away from the center of Izmir, Ephesus,
– Aydin, Ephesus between 130 km 2 hours and 10 minutes.

When to go to Ephesus?

As you know, Ephesus is a popular tourist destination. So, if you are planning your visit during peak holiday seasons or at festival times, make sure that you book the best hotels with their best room rates. To find out when are the high seasons you should check the weather in Ephesus. Generally summer season is the peak season.

Coldest time of the year is January and February. Average temperature these days are approximately 10 C /40 F. Almost never have any snow. Rainy season is in between October and April. It hardly rains in the summer time. The warmest time of the year is July and August. Midday temperature rises upto 43 C/110F. Best time to visit Ephesus is April, May, October, November. This is the time the weather is neither hot, nor cold.

What to wear in Ephesus?

The clothes you bring with you should be according to the months of your trip. Always check the weather forecast before planning your trip.

We recommend that you wear comfortable clothes and comfortable walking shoes, and you can get a bottle of water, hat, sunscreen and umbrella for the rainy or sunny days, especially during the summer months and find a shadow in Ephesus. You can bring your cameras, but tripods are not allowed in Ephesus.

In Turkey, shorts, t-shirts you can wear. There is no obligation to cover your head or shoulders in Ephesus. For the House of the Virgin Mary or mosques, a visit to these places will be enough to be respected.

Which currency should I carry?

Make sure you have cash, not all credit cards may be used in Ephesus.

Visa, Master card, American Express, Maestro card can be used in Ephesus.

How to go to Ephesus?

There are many different ways to go to Ephesus. The easiest way is to go by airway, the shortest route to it will be the Izmir airport. You can find a free shuttle for their passengers from Izmir Airport to Selcuk Town. The other way to go Ephesus is Kusadasi, usually this route prefers by the cruise passengers. On the other side if you are in İstanbul you can go to Ephesus by airways. You can find daily tour to Ephesus by plane.

Shopping in Ephesus

Kusadasi and Ephesus (Selcuk) is a shopper’s paradise, you can buy souvenir, leather goods, carpets, kilims, Iznik tiles and pottery. But we recommend that you should buy wine and olive oil in Sirince Village.

Ephesus climate: Average Temperature

Average air temperatures in C
Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
10	11	13	19	25	29	34	37	28	23	17	13

Things to do in Ephesus

1. Explore the ancient city of Ephesus

2. See the Terrace Houses

3. Visit the House of The Virgin Mary

4. Visit the Selcuk Museum

5. See the Cathedral of Saint John

6. Picture the Temple of Artemis

7. See the Isabey Mosque

8. Visit Ayasuluk Fortress

9. Visit Ephesus Museum

10. Walk on the Ephesus Marble Road

11. Eat and Stay at Sirince Village

Further Informations

Things to do in Ephesus

Top Attractions in Ephesus

Must do in Ephesus

Things to know before travelling to Ephesus

Best Time to Visit Ephesus

Where to Stay in Ephesus

What to Eat in Ephesus

Ephesus Travel Tips