Historical Sites to visit around Kusadasi
Ephesus
Ephesus, once the most important commercial center of the western Anatolia, is one of the highlights of Turkey that awaits the exploring tourists.
The city was established as a port on the mouth of the river Cayster and was one of the foremost cities of the world for its being on a strategic trade route in Anatolia. The city itself and the ruins are all on the sides of a fertile valley.The extensive ruins including the theatre, library or gymnasium create the special atmosphere of Ephesus, and appeal to every visitors.
Temple of Artemis
Artemision temple is known as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. It has been built in the areas of Ephesus on a flat area which has over the centuries turned into a swamp. Today one can only see the ruins of the foundations of this marvelous construction of the Hellenistic Age, entirely made of marble and full of sculptured columns capitals and shafts. The statue of many-breasted Artemision was the symbol of the temple but also of abundance, hunting and wild life.
House of Virgin Mary
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. Indeed, she may have come in the area together with Saint John, who spent several years in the area to spread Christianity. Mary preferred this remote place rather than living in crowded place. The house is a typical Roman architectural example, entirely made of stones.
Seven Sleepers
The burial churches built in a natural cave on the skirt of Mount Pion (PanaYlr), to the north of Ephesus, are known as Seven Sleepers’ Grotto. The legend of Seven Sleepers in the Christian tradition is as follows: Probably in the reign of Emperor Decius (250 – 253), seven young Christian men fled from the forced participation in the pagan cults and hid in a cave. Having slept for 200 years, they woke up in the reign of Theodosius II (408-450). Their names were Maximian, Malchus, Martinian, Dionysius, John, Serapion and Constantine.
St. John
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 was changed into a marvelous basilica during the region of Emperor Justinian ( 527 -565 AD). The monumental basilica was in the shape of a cross and was covered with six domes. Its construction, being of stone and brick, is an extremely rare find amongst the architecture of its time.
Aphrodisias
Aphrodisias enjoys both an unbelievable historical richness and a beautiful natural scenery where all green tones from poplar to olive trees are present. The city was famous not only as a philosophy and medicine center but above all as a school of sculpture: the masterpieces realized there have been spread all over the Roman Empire and found back in the most popular temples such as in Didyma.
Didyma
As a logical continuation, after Priene and Miletos, one goes to Didyma, a famous temple for its oracles. This temple dedicated to Apollo was the richest and biggest of the Ionian temples on Anatolian soil. It was to cover such a vast area, that its construction lasted more than 150-200 years and yet it was planned to be without ceiling.
Pergamum
After the death of Alexander the Great, one of his generals who is called Lysimachus chose Pergamum as the depository for his wealth. He placed nine thousand talents of gold in Pergamum under the guardianship of Philetaerus who was his lieutenant. After the death of Lysimachus, Philetaerus took advantage of this wealth and founded the independent dynasty of Attalid Kings which later became the center of Hellenistic civilization.
Ephesus
Ephesus, once the most important commercial center of the western Anatolia, is one of the highlights of Turkey that awaits the exploring tourists.
The city was established as a port on the mouth of the river Cayster and was one of the foremost cities of the world for its being on a strategic trade route in Anatolia. The city itself and the ruins are all on the sides of a fertile valley.The extensive ruins including the theatre, library or gymnasium create the special atmosphere of Ephesus, and appeal to every visitors.
Temple of Artemis
Artemision temple is known as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. It has been built in the areas of Ephesus on a flat area which has over the centuries turned into a swamp. Today one can only see the ruins of the foundations of this marvelous construction of the Hellenistic Age, entirely made of marble and full of sculptured columns capitals and shafts. The statue of many-breasted Artemision was the symbol of the temple but also of abundance, hunting and wild life.
House of Virgin Mary
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. Indeed, she may have come in the area together with Saint John, who spent several years in the area to spread Christianity. Mary preferred this remote place rather than living in crowded place. The house is a typical Roman architectural example, entirely made of stones.
Seven Sleepers
The burial churches built in a natural cave on the skirt of Mount Pion (PanaYlr), to the north of Ephesus, are known as Seven Sleepers’ Grotto. The legend of Seven Sleepers in the Christian tradition is as follows: Probably in the reign of Emperor Decius (250 – 253), seven young Christian men fled from the forced participation in the pagan cults and hid in a cave. Having slept for 200 years, they woke up in the reign of Theodosius II (408-450). Their names were Maximian, Malchus, Martinian, Dionysius, John, Serapion and Constantine.
St. John
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 was changed into a marvelous basilica during the region of Emperor Justinian ( 527 -565 AD). The monumental basilica was in the shape of a cross and was covered with six domes. Its construction, being of stone and brick, is an extremely rare find amongst the architecture of its time.
Aphrodisias
Aphrodisias enjoys both an unbelievable historical richness and a beautiful natural scenery where all green tones from poplar to olive trees are present. The city was famous not only as a philosophy and medicine center but above all as a school of sculpture: the masterpieces realized there have been spread all over the Roman Empire and found back in the most popular temples such as in Didyma.
Didyma
As a logical continuation, after Priene and Miletos, one goes to Didyma, a famous temple for its oracles. This temple dedicated to Apollo was the richest and biggest of the Ionian temples on Anatolian soil. It was to cover such a vast area, that its construction lasted more than 150-200 years and yet it was planned to be without ceiling.
Pergamum
After the death of Alexander the Great, one of his generals who is called Lysimachus chose Pergamum as the depository for his wealth. He placed nine thousand talents of gold in Pergamum under the guardianship of Philetaerus who was his lieutenant. After the death of Lysimachus, Philetaerus took advantage of this wealth and founded the independent dynasty of Attalid Kings which later became the center of Hellenistic civilization.
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