About Ephesus
This mighty ancient port city standing at the waters edge of the Mediterranean sea was one of the most important trading centres in the world and now stands in modern-day Turkey about 80 kilometres south of the city of Izmir. Once part of the expansive Greek empire. Legend says Ephesus was founded by the Ionian prince Androclos in the eleventh century B.C. Legend also tells of a tribe of fierce female warriors and that their queen Ephesia was whom the city was named after. Much of the city's early history is unrecorded but what we do know is that in the seventh century B.C Ephesus was ruled by Lydian kings and became a prosperous and thrived with both men and women having equal opportunities.
King Croesus, was the Lydian king that ruled from 560 B.C. to 547 B.C was known for the rebuilding of the Temple of Artemis, one of Greece's most revered deities and goddess of the hunt, chastity, childbirth, wild animals and the wilderness. Later both the Egyptians and the Romans conquered this strategically placed city and it was under the rule of the Roman Empire that Ephesus really came into her own making her one of the largest populated city in the world and one of the richest. It was at this era in time that the Great Theatre, built from marble and seated over 20000 people, also the Library of Celsus was built, along with the main marble street houses government buildings the agora, brothel, latrines all of which can still be seen today.
How to get to Ephesus.
If you are travelling to Ephesus from the city of Izmir then your Journey will take approximately one hour at a distance of 80 kilometres and you will travel south on the E87. There are buses from Izmir or you can book a taxi/private transfer. You may well be arriving from the opposite direction of Dalaman International Airport where you can catch local and direct buses as well as taking a taxi or private transfer all are available at the Airport. The journey time between the two destinations is just over 3 hours at a distance of 246 kilometres travelling along the D550.
Nearby Locations
The Coastal town of Kusadasi is not far from Ephesus, with its Byzantium castle and major harbour where the cruise ships come into port, the town is bustling and you can visit many of the local shop's restaurants bars and hotels that have grown up around this old fishing village. Selcuk is just 2 kilometres away from Ephesus and still retains much of its old-world charm with its castle and mews that have now been renovated into little cafes, art and coffee shops. If you have time whilst here then the above-mentioned places are well worth visiting along with the pretty village of Sirice noted for its winemaking.
Further Afield
In this southern part of the Mediterranean region of Turkey but slightly further away from Ephesus is the city of Izmir to the north and the city of Antalya to the south. Both full of history and beauty and both are great places to see.