Experience Ephesus with Star Clippers
14th June 2018
Turkey is considered by many to the final frontier of the Mediterranean and the European mainland, with plenty to see, explore and admire. On board selected sailings to the Cyclades Islands, in the Eastern Mediterranean, you will have an opportunity to experience the history of Turkey via a call into the port of Kusadasi. This in-turn provides an opportunity to explore the vast historical site of Ephesus – which is thought to date back more than 3,000 years to the 10th century BC.
Despite being situated in Turkey, Ephesus is the site of an ancient Greek city and is highly regarded for its abundance of significant landmarks. This week, Star Clippers takes a closer look at what you might be able to enjoy during your visit to this impressive historical site.
Ephesus
The site as is seen today developed from being an Attic-Ionian colony in the 10th century BC, although it is also interesting to note that Ephesus has been home to settlers as far back as 6000 BC. It is famous for a number of reasons, the first of which being that it once contained the Temple of Artemis – which was recognised as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Sadly, only foundations and fragments of the original site remain to this day, having thought to have been either destroyed or ruined prior to 401AD.
Ephesus became a Roman city in 133BC and Augustus named it as the capital of Asia Minor in 27BC, which saw the population grow significantly to a figure of 250,000. It continued to grow and was listed as one of the seven churches of Asia that are listed in the Bible’s Book of Revelation. It is even thought that the Gospel of St. John may have been written within the site of Ephesus. By 100AD, it was home to 400,000 inhabitants, which is where the settlement peaked. Sadly, it was destroyed by the Goths in 263AD and, despite being largely rebuilt, never managed to recover as an economic centre and was destroyed again by an earthquake in 614 AD.
Many of the landmarks that made up Ephesus 2,000 years ago can still be admired today, although many of them are partially ruined. Upon entering the site through the Magnesia gate, you will have a chance to admire the impressive Odeion, located at the foot of the Panayir Mountain. Dating back to 150AD, this venue seated a capacity of 1,500 spectators and was once topped with a wooden roof.
Other impressive landmarks include the Trajan Fountain, Temple of Hadrian and the Scolasticia Baths. Some of the more recent findings, excavated in 1960, include the Terrace Houses dwellings, which were inhabited by wealthier locals, had their own unique heating system and were decorated with frescoed walls and mosaic floors. Be sure to also visit the Great Theatre – a 24,000 capacity spectator venue, while the neighbouring gymnasium and baths were built in the second century AD.
Ephesus is one of the many impressive historical landmarks you can visit on a traditional tall ship sailing with Star Clippers in the Mediterranean. For more information or to make a booking, contact our friendly sales team via the freephone number above or chat to an advisor online.
