EPHESUS BEST PRESERVED ANCIENT SITE IN THE WORLD

Ephesus, once the most important commercial center of the western Anatolia, is one of the highlights of Turkey that awaits for the exploring tourists.

Ephesus has been a "center" during the date. Once a trade center of the ancient world, a religious center of the early Christianity

Ephesus has been a "center" during the date. Once a trade center of the ancient world, a religious center of the early Christianity and today, a unique tourism center proving all its perfects to the visitors through the world.

Ephesus has played significant roles during the date, in the early Christianity, as well. The prestige of Ephesus increased with the arrival of Saint Paul, for spreading the Christianty to the Ephesians worshipping to Artemission. St. Paul had also sent one of his most famous letters to the church in Ephesus. Additionally, St. Jean and Virgin Mary visited Ephesus and Virgin Mary settled down the Mount Coressos, located close to Ephesus, around the years

. The prestige of Ephesus increased with the arrival of Saint Paul, for spreading the Christianty to the Ephesians worshipping to Artemission. St. Paul and the disciplines of Christianity were strictly refused by Ephesians, elderly. With the long tiring struggles of St. Paul, Christianity was accepted by the most of the population around Ephesus..

Ephesus became a state of Seljukian in the year of 1090, for a time was held by Byzantine. In 1307 Seljukians controlled the city again. However, years later, the River Caystros was silted up, leaving the site far inland.

The State Agora, and was built in the Roman Period in the first century B.C. This agora was used not for commerce but for business, it played an important role as a meeting place for the governmental discussions

The basilica was used for stock exchange and commercial business.

It is the small theatre in Ephesus, where state affairs and concerts were held. It was constructed in the 2nd century A.D.

Located close to the State Agora, it is the most beautiful fountain in Ephesus. It has a high arch facing the temple of Domitian.

It is the first structure in Ephesus known to be dedicated to an emperor. The northern size of the terrace seems to be two-stories high, reached by stairs.

It is the structure beyond the Hercules Gate. It was constructed during the reign of Augustus in the 1st century A.D by Memmius, the grand son of dictator Sulla.

Located towards the end of the Curetes Street, it was called the Hercules gate because of the relief of Hercules on it.

It is the small portion of the sacred way, running between the Celsus Library and the Hercules Gate. Colonnaded galleries with mosaics on the floor were located on both sides of the street with a roof to protect the pedestrians from sun or rain.

Built in around 104 C.E, it is one of the finest monuments in Ephesus. It was constructed for the honor of Emperor Trajan, and the statue of Trajan stood in the central niche on the facade overlooking the pool.

Ephesus terrace houses are located on the slopes of Bulbul Mountain, opposite the Hadrian Temple. Also called as "the houses of rich", these houses were for the important and wealthy people of Ephesus, as only rich people could afford such houses.

It is one of the best preserved and most beautiful structures on Curetes Street. It was built before 138 A.D and was dedicated to the Emperor Hadrian, who came to visit the city from Athens in 128 A.D

This is the most impressive building in Ephesus with not only its size but with beautiful ornaments decorating the facade. It does deserve its fame for being the third largest library in the ancient world.

It is the road starting form the great theatre to the Celsus Library, which is the portion of the sacred way that leads past Panayirdagi to the Temple of Artemis

On the marble road, there are some drawings believed to be an advertisement of the Brothel. This advertisement is known as the first advertisement in history. There is a footprint on the advertisement, one finger showing the library, and other showing the brothel.

Being the most important trade center of Ephesus, Agora was built in the third century B.C in the Hellenistic Period.

Being the largest in Anatolia, the theatre has the capacity of 25,000 seats. The theatre was used not only for concerts and plays, but also for religious, political and philosophical discussions and for gladiator and animal fights. Even today, it is used for the music performances and concerts. Pavarotti, Sting, Diana Rose, Jethro Tull, Tom Jones were there…

Located on the top of the "Bulbul" mountain 9 km ahead of Ephesus, the shrine of Virgin Mary enjoys a marvelous atmosphere hidden in the green. It is the place where Mary may have spent her last days. Paul VI was the first pope to visit this place in the 1960's. Later, in the 1980's, during his visit, Pope John-Paul II declared the Shrine of Virgin Mary has a pilgrimage place for Christians. Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Mass at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus, near Selcuk, Turkey, Wednesday Nov. 29, 2006 as Paul VI and John Paul II did before him.

It is believed that the evangelist St. John had spent his last years in the region around Ephesus and buried in the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill. Three hundred years after the death of Saint Paul, a small chapel was constructed over the grave in the 4th century. The church of St John was changed into a marvelous basilica during the region of Emperor Justinian ( AD).