Ephesus Ruins

Ephesus is an excavated ancient harbour city founded in 10th century BC on the Aegean Sea. It was one of the largest and most important Greek cities. It is now located in western Turkey about an hour south of Izmir (5 hours south of Istanbul).

This area has remains of human habitation as far back as 6000 BC. It’s a city that was rebuilt at least twice and finally abandoned when the river flowing into the Aegean Sea silted in. Today the excavated site (much more to excavate) sits about 5 miles from the coast.

Throughout history Ephesus has been concurred and changed hands many times. In addition to it’s Greek history it is also known as the place where St Paul and St John were and the Gospel of John was likely written. Ephesus is mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Some sources have Cleopatra and Mark Anthony being here as well as Alexander the Great. Cleopatra’s half sister Cleopatra, Arsinoe was exiled to Epheseus and executed there (beheaded according to sources).

Not far from the cities ruin is the House of the Virgin Mary. Where Mary lived out her life. Also the ruins of Temple of Artemis are nearby, where major religions came together. It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Anicient World, the first temple to be built entirely of marble and one of the largest Greek temples ever built. It was destroyed and rebuilt twice, each time bigger. Not much remains today.