İzmir Efes Archaeological Sitevisitor guide.

ONE OF THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD AT İZMİR EPHESUS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE Ephesus, the Anatolian metropolis of Antiquity, is an exceptionally magnificent city. With unique architectural monuments standing for thousands of years, this mega ancient city is inscribed on the World Heritage List. The presence of the Temple of Artemis, rooted in Anatolia's Mother Goddess (Cybele) tradition and counted among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, elevates its renown. Ephesus Archaeological Site preserves quintessential symbols of advanced urbanism, architecture, and religious history belonging to distinct civilizations, predominantly Hellenistic and Roman. BOTH A POLITICAL AND COMMERCIAL METROPOLIS Ephesus witnessed uninterrupted habitation from prehistoric times through Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine (Eastern Roman), Beylik, and Ottoman periods, continually serving as a major political and commercial hub. Playing a vital role in science, culture, and art throughout its history extending back to 7000 BC, Ephesus was among the foremost metropolises of the ancient world. It was the principal gateway and primary harbor city between East and West (Asia and Europe), growing steadily without losing this primacy. Welcoming roughly 1.5 million visitors annually, excavations in the ancient city approach nearly 125 years. Still not completely unearthed, Ephesus continues to add new dimensions to Anatolian archaeology. CELSUS LIBRARY, ANCIENT THEATER AND BEYOND The site features two gates known as 'lower' and 'upper', separated by three kilometers. The most famous landmark identified with Ephesus Archaeological Site is the 'Library of Celsus', inspiring awe with its monumental columns. Dating to the 2nd century AD, this library was among the grandest libraries of Antiquity after Alexandria and Pergamon. The Gate of Hadrian and Temple of Hadrian on Curetes Street are also prominent structures. The Artemision, the Great Theater seating approximately 25,000, Stadium, Commercial and State Agoras, the Prytaneion housing the Temple of Hestia (sacred civic flame), Odeon seating 1,800, and the ancient harbor are other essential ruins to see. Terrace Houses within the site have a separate admission entrance. The Church of Mary, which hosted the Ecumenical Council of 431 where the Virgin Mary was proclaimed Mother of God, must also be visited. WHILE HERE... Şirince in Selçuk district is a famed village worth seeing. Settled with exchange populations after Greeks departed under the 1923 population exchange, it is renowned for viticulture, winemaking, and olive growing, with Greek houses serving as pensions. DOWNLOAD MUSEUM BROCHURE NEARBY MUSEUMS İZMİR CULTURE AND ARTS FACTORY AYASULUK CASTLE EPHESUS MUSEUM ST. JOHN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE EPHESUS EXPERIENCE MUSEUM EPHESUS TERRACE HOUSES