Ephesus (Efes)

Ephesus is the best-preserved ancient city in the eastern Mediterranean and one of the most visited archaeological sites in the world. Once the capital of the Roman province of Asia with over 250,000 inhabitants, Ephesus was one of the richest and most important cities of antiquity.

The walk through the marble streets is a journey through 3,000 years of history: You walk on the same stones as Cleopatra, Mark Antony, and the Apostle Paul once did. The dimensions are overwhelming.

Highlights

• Celsus Library: The two-story facade (117 AD) is the landmark of Ephesus and one of the most photographed motifs in Turkey. It once housed 12,000 scrolls — the third-largest library of antiquity.
• Great Theater: 25,000 seats, carved directly into the hillside. Here, the Apostle Paul preached, and the sound of a hand clap on stage can still be heard in the top row. The acoustics are perfect.
• Terrace House 2 (Houses on the Slopes): The "Villas of the Rich" with preserved mosaics, wall paintings, and underfloor heating show how the upper class lived 2,000 years ago. Separate admission, but absolutely worthwhile!
• Curetes Street: The marble-paved grand street from the library to the theater — lined with columns, statues, and mosaics.
• Temple of Hadrian: Finely crafted temple with Medusa relief on the pediment (138 AD).
• Latriens: The public toilets of the Romans — 48 marble seats side by side, without partitions. Business and business were conducted simultaneously here.

The nearby Temple of Artemis — once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World — is unfortunately only a single column in the middle of a swamp. Disappointing as a standalone visit, but remarkable in context.