Cultural Ephesus

Ephesus was founded by Lysimakhos one of the successor of Alexander the Great in 300’S BC. Ephesus, living most glorious time in Hellenistic and Roman Period, had 200.000 population as the biggest harbour city and capital city of Asia Province. Ephesus played a crucial role in the fields of civilization, science, culture and art through its history since from 4000 BC.The ancient ruins in four region -Ephesus, Ayasuluk Hill, Artemision and Selçuk- are visited by nearly three million tourists each year. As the first marble-made city Ephesus’ important buildings are Celcius Library, Agora, Terrace Houses and Ephesus Theatre with 25.000 visitors capacity.

Artemission

One of the Seven Wonders of the World, Artemis Temple is the first marble-made temple of the ancient world. Its history goes back to 7. Century BC. Temple was dedicated to Ancient Goddess Artemis and constructed using bronze sculptures of famous sculptors Pheidias, Polycleitus, Kresilas ve Phradmon under the Cretan architect Chersiphron at the expense of Croesus of Lydia.

Excavations of Artemis Temple began by Archeologist John Turtle Wood in 1863 with the contributions of British Museum After six years of searching, the site of the temple was discovered in 1869.

Selcuk Isa Bey Mosque

It is situated between Artemis Temple and Saint Jean Church. It was ordered by Aydınoğlu İsa Bey. It has an important place in Turkish art history. This mosque is one of oldest and most elaborate works of Anatolian Beyliks period in Turkish Architecture. It was also used as caravansary in 19 th Century.

Şirince Village

With nearly 1800 houses at the beginning of 19 th century ,Şirince village was a Greek town specialized in fig and grape production. It was a mountain village whose Greek population were evacuated and exchanged with the Turkish Tobacco workers in Greece in 1923. Today, with ıts interesting architecture and natural life attracts the attention of tourists.