Ephesus

Home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, named "the first and greatest metropolis of Asia" by the Romans and final resting place of Saint John, Ephesus is a site not to be missed by holiday makers and Turkey property owners alike. .

One of the Ionian Greeks' chief cities, Athenian colonists founded Ephesus, most likely on a site known to the Hittites (18^th - 14^th century BC), but it flourished under the Greeks and Romans and was not abandoned until the 15^th century AD.

Principal attraction for most people is the Temple of Artemis, the many-breasted goddess worshipped in the Classical world. Constructed in the 6^th century BC and rebuilt after it was burned by a lunatic the night that Alexander the Great was born, July 23^rd 356 BC, tourists flocked to the site then almost to the extent that they do today.

The temple to the fertility goddess stood for nearly a millennium and was only destroyed in a fit of zeal by a Christian mob. However, two statues to the goddess survived and are housed at the nearby Selcuk museum, but all that remains of the former Wonder of the World is a re-erected column and some foundation stones, the rest of the marble having been used by the Byzantines.

However, Ephesus was not awarded the title of "first and greatest metropolis of Asia" by the Romans just because of its temple. The theatre was one of the largest in the region, capable of holding 25,000 spectators. It is located in a position that dominates the view to the now-silted harbour and still grasps visitors with a sense of wonder. This is a great place to recommend to holiday makers to your Turkey property.

The Library of Celsus has an interesting history, for it was first a tomb before some bright spark decided to convert it into a library. Built in 125 BC by Gaius Julius Aquila for his father, there were once 125,000 scrolls housed there, though it was built in a way that gives the opposite effect of a Tardis - the outside facade was large but the inside rather small.

Tourists can decide for themselves what it would have been like to enter this tomb-library, as the facade has been rebuilt. However, the exit is also of interest, for a subterranean tunnel decorated with illustrations of a woman, a heart and a suggested price lead many to suggest that scholars weary of their learning liked to revive themselves at a convenient brothel. 

Although long-gone, the aqueduct and bathing systems were some of the finest around and allowed Ephesus to support one of the largest populations the ancient world had seen, with as many as 500,000 residents by 100 BC.

Yet two of its later residents still draw tourists to Ephesus. Mary, the mother of Jesus, is said to have lived nearby at Meryemana, which means 'mother Mary'. In addition, Justinian's basilica marks the spot that many believe contains the remains of the apostle John.

Goths sacked the city in AD 263 and the Arab invasion of the Middle East led to further damage in the eight century, ending in a mediaeval abandonment. Victorian explorers who removed much of the finds from the Temple of Artemis to the British Museum finalised the decline.

However, there is still plenty for visitors to find in this convenient-to-reach city. Easy accessibility is through Izmir ADB airport and the port of Kusadasi, near to the coastal town. Take a look at the Turkey property near by on the stunning coast.

Turkey has a wealth of archaeology and historical sites ready for discovery. Click here to view the main places of interest.