Ephesus

Our cruise ship, the “City of Rhodes,” docked at the harbor at Kusadasi, Turkey, for a few hours. We negotiated with a taxi driver for a ride to the Virgin Mary’s house, high on Mount Solmissos, above Ephesus. He drove 12 miles or so, to near Selçuk, passed the ruins of Ephesus, then drove up the mountain to Mary’s House. After that visit, he drove down the hill to the upper entrance to Ephesus, let us out, and made arrangements to meet in 30 minutes (it would take three days to see it all!) at the downhill entrance, below Ephesus.

A very good idea, as the walk through town was downhill all the way. Ephesus is about the most stunning old city ruin we’ve seen. The streets, the old buildings with marble pillars, and a huge theater, all parts of what must have been a magnificent city, centuries ago. The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, is listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Some buildings were more complete than others from a similar period, that we have seen elsewhere. Our imagination told us Ephesus was the most beautiful city ever, when it was in its prime.

If my memory is correct, this photo shows the Library of Celsus in Ephesus.