Legend has it that the Virgin Mary, accompanied by Saint John, came to Ephesus at the end of her life, circa 37-45 A.D. Renaissance church historians mentioned the trip, and it is said that local Christians venerated a small house near Ephesus as Mary’s.

The Chapel was rebuilt upon the original foundations that have been determined to date as of the 1st and 4th centuries. Part of the building is of the 7th century and the last restoration took place in 1951.

In 1967, Pope Paul VI visited the site, where a chapel now stands, and confirmed the authenticity of the legend. A small traditional service, celebrated by Orthodox and Muslim clergies on 15th of August each year in honour of Mary’s Assumption into heaven, is now the major event here. To Muslims, Mary is Meryemana, Mother Mary, who bore Isa Peygamber, the Prophet Jesus. So, the place is considered holy not only by Christians but Muslims as well. The shrine is visited by patients seeking cure; offers are made and vows taken.

Ephesus was an ancient Greek city on the west coast of Anatolia, near present-day Selçuk, Izmir Province, Turkey. It was one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League during the Classical Greek era. In the Roman period, it was for many years the second largest city of the Roman Empire; ranking behind Rome, the empire's capital. Ephesus had a population of more than 250,000 in the 1st century BC, which also made it the second largest city in the world.

Ephesus was one of the seven churches of Asia that are cited in the Book of Revelation. The Gospel of John may have been written here. It is also the site of a large gladiators' graveyard.

Today's archaeological site lies 3 kilometers southwest of the town of Selçuk, in the Selçuk district of İzmir Province, Turkey. The ruins of Ephesus are a favorite international and local tourist attraction, partly owing to their easy access from Adnan Menderes Airport and via the port of Kuşadası.

Must See:

• Temple of Artemis
• Roman Library of Celsus
• Gate of Augustus
• Tomb of John the Apostle at the Basilica of St. John
• The Temple of Hadrian
• Seven sleepers

It is in the south of Izmir on the south Aegean, Selcuk has been transformed since the 1990s into a major tourist destination, mainly as a base to visit the famous ruins of Ephesus a few kilometres away. The ancient classical city is one of the best preserved in the eastern Mediterranean and is a great example of Roman architecture. Selcuk has many historical remains of early Christianity, including a house which many believe to have been visited by the Virgin Mary, and Ayasoluk Hill where St John write his Gospel. There are many small hotels and guest-houses, restaurants and shops which makes the town a good base to explore the area. The town gets busy during the famous annual camel wrestling festival, held in Ephesus around February.

Where to Visit

Selçuk Ephesus Archeology Museum

With a fine collection of statues, mosaics and artefacts, the museum in the centre of Selcuk helps shed a little more light on the Ephesus ruins. Many found before World War I were taken to the Vienna Museum, but wherever possible, most were returned after World War II. The museum shows around 50,000 exhibits, in chronological order, from the Miken, Archaic, Roman, Byzantine and Turk periods, and is split into Archaeological and Ethnographic sections. The most interesting items include the Myken vases found at Ayasuluk Hill, pieces from temple of Artemis, a tomb from the Belevi Mausoleum, two statues of Artemis, an embossed image of Theodosius from Hadrian Temple, and many more statues and portraits from early Christianity. The ethnographic section is set up in an arasta (row of shops) with examples of Turkish and Ottoman daily life.

Ephesus Ruins

This huge site, one of the best preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean, will take most of the day to see every part in detail. It is easily approached by road from Selçuk, or by public transport from Kuşadası.

Şirince was settled when Ephesus was abandoned in the 15th century but most of what one sees today dates from the 19th century. The village was settled by freed Greek slaves who named the village cirkince (ugly) to deter others from following them .

Şirince's name was changed in 1926 by the then governor of Izmir to a more honest sirince (pleasant) Most of the houses in Şirince today were built around the 19th century or earlier when Şirince was predominantly a Greek village, today some of them have been restored and turned into pensions for over-night guests.

Souvenir shops, an open market, a dozen restaurants and a few guest houses scatter the pretty cobbled streets of the village. Although tourism has come into the village, farming remains the foremost activity. Villagers make olive oil, and grow some of the best peaches in the country.

Şirince is probably most famous for it’s wine production. You see many wine houses around where you can taste the many sorts of grape and fruit wines they make.

As well as a mosque, there are also two churches in Şirince. The St John Baptist church, set in a courtyard with a fountain, has being restored by the ministry of culture of Turkey.

Claros is a prophecy center of Colophon, one of the twelve Ionic cities. Claros is built between two cities; it is 13 kilometers south of Colophon and two kilometers north of Notion. The Temple of Apollo here was a very important center of prophecy as in Delphi and Didim. The oldest information about this sacred site goes back to the sixth and seventh centuries B.C. through the Homeric Hymns. A sacred cave near the Claros Temple of Apollo, which was an important place both in the Hellenistic and Roman eras, points to the existence of a Cybele cult in earlier periods here.

Ozdere is a small fishing village located in the southwestern coast of Turkey along the Aegean Sea. This small town was virtually unspoiled approximately 10 years ago or so. It has now grown into a highly developed holiday resort for families from across the world.

However, it still retains its old world charm and is a quiet resort city. The mild climate enfolds the village throughout the year making it pleasant at any time for a visit.

There are beautiful golden sands on the beaches of Ozdere, which run for miles along shallow and crystal-clear waters that are knee-deep only. The 30-acre stretch of shallow water along the beach makes it a perfect haven for non-swimmers and young children to relax at the beach and enjoy it in complete safety. If you're looking for a relaxed getaway with your spouse or children then this is the perfect, and perfectly safe, beach resort to visit in Turkey.

Why not relax in the many restaurants or pick up a bargain at the variety of shops in the town? You can sample some international cuisine in family run, quaint restaurants that serve a variety ethnic dishes. Spend a relaxing evening with your family or in the company of good friends. The best food to try in this town can be found in the fish and seafood-based restaurants overlooking the bay off the Aegean Sea.

Take a short 10 minute walk from the city and discover the interesting coastline with many forests that provide it with a rough natural edge which is softened by the many Mandarin plantations.

The city is equipped with large supermarkets, doctors, pharmacies as well as post offices and ATM machines. These conveniences and professionals ensure that any tourist will have a leisurely and relaxed vacation. The city has many services for car and bus hires as well as dolmus services and highly efficient Internet cafés.

Get a feel of the local life and landscape at the open-air market which operates on the weekends only. Enjoy a collection of fresh produce, spices and herbs from this Turkey itself, which is rich in historical culture as well as cuisine.

The large port city of Teos, located on the Aegean coast of Turkey, was once the center of the Artist Guild of Ionia. Its extensive ruins, including those of the renowned Temple of Dionysus, make a visit to the site worthwhile. It is located very near the town of Sigacik and is 18 kilometers from the town of Seferihisar.

Teos was located on the isthmus of a peninsula and had two harbors. The southern one has been silted up by a stream. Parts of the old quays can still be seen today. Traces of earliest occupation can be discerned on the acropolis of the city. Some parts of the fortification wall can be seen amidst the overgrowth of vegetation. The city was primarily located between the harbor and this acropolis. The walls in this section were erected during 3C BC, and are oddly enough strait enclosing a rectangular area.

The substantial ruins of Temple of Dionysus is the most significant in the site. As an early work of Hermogenes of Priene, it was erected in 130 BC and restored during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. The temple was an Ionic peripteros with 6 by 11 columns standing on a platform measuring 18.5 by 35 meters. A Turkish archaeological team carried out the latest work and restoration in 1960s, and some finds including fragments of an acroterion, and a frieze with reliefs were taken to Izmir Archaeological Museum for exhibition.

The ruins of the theatre, which dates from 2C BC, lie to the south of the acropolis. Its cave is in very poor condition, but the remains of the stage building are quite substantial. It was modified during the Roman period.

The remains of a Gymnasium can be seen to the northeast of the acropolis. An inscription found here records the details of teachers' salaries. All the buildings found at Teos were built of the local blue limestone, which was also an important export item of the city. This stone is as hard as marble but easier to work.

Izmir is the third largest city in Turkey, and has the second busiest port after Istanbul. It is a major road and rail junction and is connected to Turkey's principal provinces and several European cities by frequent direct flights.

Izmir is really such a beautiful city that merits its label, "guzel" in Turkish, meaning "beautiful". It lies at the head of a long gulf (Izmir Korfezi) frequented by ships and yachts. Along the shore, the promenades and palm-lined boulevards with a wide array of dining and shopping experiences, provide a break for people to enjoy the imbat, that refreshing sea breeze tempering the summer heat. The city gently ascends the slopes of the encircling mountains and the character of its districts combine the energy of the modern life with the allure of the old quarter in an attractive, extraordinary blend.

The city bursts to life in summer with hundreds of performances, cultural events, and activities, the most important of which are the International Arts Festival (June/July), and the International Fair (August/September).

Must see:

• Historical Kemeralti Bazaar
• Saat Kulesi (Ottoman clock tower)
• Asansör (the Elevator)
• Agora
• Kordon Promenade
• Atatürk Museum