Sandy and Tom: KUSADASI, TURKEY (EPHESUS)

KUSADASI, TURKEY (EPHESUS)

Located on the western coast of Turkey, this resort town attracts tourists from all around the world. Since the area was settled by the Leleges in 3000 BC, culture and art have been at the forefront. Ephesus is a 15 minute drive away from this city.

Ephesus was built in the most beautiful part of Western Anatolia. You realize this this as soon as you enter the city. In fact it is not difficult to imagine the historical past of the city, namely that of the Roman era, when Ephesus was the capital of five hundred Anatolian towns.

This was after the period in which Homer wrote his immortal works, and the time in which St. John lived and died. At that time you could see the stairs of the colossal theatre from the sea far away, and the huge gleaming columns of the Temple of Artemis, which was once used to blind people with their beauty. About 250,000 people used to live in this famous city where the most skillful artisans and rich merchants gathered together. The entertainments held in honor of Artemis every year during April, were very gay. Specters used to fill the theatres which were an essential part of their lives. About a million people made up the audiences during that special month.

Ephesus was abandoned and forgotten for a long time. About a century ago the excavations of this ancient city began. Restoration has been undertaken continuously over the last ten years, so that some of this historical treasure, which had previously been buried for centuries, can now be seen and admired by millions.