Ephesus is an ancient city located near present-day Selçuk in western Turkey. It was one of the most important cities of the ancient Mediterranean world, serving as a major commercial, religious, and cultural centre. Originally founded by Ionian Greeks in the 10th century BCE, Ephesus came under the control of the Lydians and Persians before being incorporated into Alexander the Great’s empire in the 4th century BCE and later the Roman Empire.
The city reached its peak under Roman rule during the 1st and 2nd centuries CE, when its population is estimated to have reached up to 250,000, making it one of the largest cities in the Roman Empire. Ephesus was known for its strategic harbour, extensive trade networks, and monumental architecture. The most significant structure is the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, though only a single column remains today.
Other notable archaeological remains include the Library of Celsus, built in the early 2nd century CE to house 12,000 scrolls and serve as a monumental tomb for Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus. The Great Theatre of Ephesus, seating approximately 25,000 people, was used for performances and public meetings. The city’s streets feature well-preserved colonnades, marble paving, fountains, and terrace houses with detailed mosaics and frescoes.
Ephesus is also significant in Christian tradition. It is mentioned in the Book of Acts as a place where Paul preached and faced opposition from local silversmiths concerned about the decline in worship of Artemis. According to tradition, the apostle John lived in Ephesus in his later years, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, is also believed to have spent her final years nearby, commemorated by the House of the Virgin Mary.
Abandoned gradually due to the silting of its harbour and repeated earthquakes, Ephesus remains a major archaeological site and tourist destination today. It provides insight into urban planning, architecture, religion, and daily life in both Hellenistic and Roman periods, reflecting the city’s role as a cultural and commercial hub of Asia Minor.
Official website: https://muze.gov.tr/
also useful is https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1018
Google map Ephesus Ancient City 4.8/5
Google map Ephesus Archaeological Site 4.8/5
Google map Basilica of Saint John 4.7/5
Google map The Temple of Artemis 4.2/5
Google map Cave of St Paul
Google map House of Virgin Mary 4.4/5