Marmaris to Ephesus

The ancient city site of Ephesus has many interesting and valuable archeological treasures like the Temple of Artemis, which is regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Other monuments of interest include the Hadrian Temple, the Library of Celsus, and an impressively large ancient amphitheater. The grand theather of Ephesus has a capacity to accommodate 24,000 people at a time. The recent excavations have revealed that the present site has two more ancient cities buried beneath it. Thus Ephesus is the third city on the same platform and has a history that dates back to 245 BC. The Legend says that the first city was founded by female warriors known as Amazons. Carians and Lelegians are suggested to be the city’s first inhabitants.

The city has seen Ionians, Lydians, and Persians through the ages and when Romans took over the city in 129 BC, the city was teeming with 200,000 citizens inhabiting in it. Soon, Ephesus became an important center of trade and commerce in the ancient world. From the first century AD, Ephesus also saw Christian disciples visiting the place to spread the faith of one God. History says, St Paul remained here for three years and that St John and Virgin Mary had visited this place during their last days.