Ephesus

A local cat explores the ancient ruins of Ephesus. Photo by Dave Cross.

The ancient city of Ephesus (Turkish: Efes), located near the Aegean Sea in modern day Turkey, was one of the great cities of the Greeks in Asia Minor.

In ancient times Ephesus was the home of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Today, the ruins of Ephesus are a major tourist attraction, especially for travelers on Mediterranean cruises. Ephesus remains a sacred site for Christians due to its association with several biblical figures, including St. Paul, St. John the Evangelist and the Virgin Mary.

The religious history of ancient Ephesus was the subject of the webmaster's MPhil thesis at Oxford (completed in June 2007), so this section is becoming more comprehensive than most - including the most detailed map of Ephesus on the Web! You can read an excerpt of my thesis here.

	Ephesus Maps Fly over Ephesus with our zoomable, high-resolution satellite map! Plus: detailed site maps of Ephesus.
	History of Ephesus A brief history of the city of Ephesus.
	The Virgin Mary in Ephesus Excerpt from my master's thesis regarding traditions of Mary's life in Ephesus, evidence of early Marian devotion in Ephesus, and the history of the Church of Mary.
	Ephesus Tours & Excursions Book a sightseeing tour in Ephesus before you leave home.
	Ephesus/Kusadasi Hotels Book a hotel near Ephesus at Expedia.
	Kusadasi Hotel Reviews Read unbiased reviews and compare prices on hotels in nearby Kusadasi.
	Ephesus Travel Forum Get travel advice and insider tips on Ephesus from experienced fellow travelers.

	Basilica of St. John The Basilica of St. John was built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century over the believed tomb of John the Evangelist. It was a very grand structure and the site was a major pilgrimage destination in the early Middle Ages.
	Brothel and Latrine Of course neither of these are a sacred site, but these less glamorous structures help bring ancient Ephesus to life.
	Cave of the Seven Sleepers This remarkable cave has long been considered sacred. It is said that seven Christian boys were locked in the cave during the Decian persecution (c.250 AD), fell asleep, and woke up in the 5th century.
	Church of Mary The walls, an arch, and the baptismal pool remain intact at the Church of Mary, possibly the first church dedicated to the Virgin Mary in the world and the site of the Council of Ephesus in 431.
	Ephesus Museum In the modern city of Seljuk near Ephesus, this museum showcases a variety of sculptures and artifacts from Ephesus and other sites in Asia Minor. Most notable are two statues of the Ephesian Artemis from the 1st and 2nd centuries AD.
	Great Theater Ephesus' large theater, where St. Paul preached to the pagans, is still in use and can seat thousands. It is in an outstanding position which dominates the view down Harbor Street leading to the silted-up old harbor.
	House of the Virgin This stone building under shady trees is believed by many Catholics and Muslims to be where the Virgin Mary lived her last years. It has been a major pilgrimage destination since it was seen in a vision by a bedridden German nun in 1812.
	Isabey Mosque The Isabey Mosque was built in 1375 at the direction of the Emir of Aydin. It incorporates columns and stones recycled from the ruins of Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis.
	Library of Celsus The façade of the Library of Celsus is one of the most spectacular sights of Ephesus. It was built by a Roman in memory of his father and faces east so that the reading rooms could make best use of the morning light.
	Prytaneion A very important civic building where the sacred fire of Hestia was tended, official visitors were received by civic and religious dignitaries,and where two statues of the Ephesian Artemis were found.
	Slope Houses Not a sacred site, but these well-preserved dwellings provide an important window into the lifestyles of the Ephesian elite in Roman and Byzantine times.
	Temple of Artemis In ancient times it was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, but today the Temple of Artemis is represented by just a single column.
	Temple of Hadrian This attractive Roman imperial temple was constructed in 118 AD, but reconstructed in the fifth century.