Turkey and the ancient town of Ephesus

Arriving In Kusadasi

We arrived in the port town of Kusadasi, Turkey this morning ready for our tour of Ephesus. Kusadasi is located 12 km from Ephesus, short bus ride.

Our Tour guides, guy on the left is the Main Man

Ephesus is one of the greatest ruined cities in the Western world, and the site of a succession of great ancient civilizations. The city was established as a port on the mouth of the Cayster river and one of the foremost cities in the ancient world due to it's location on strategic trade routes. Due to earth quakes over the years and major erosion the old city is now located 8 km inland from the sea.

The Library

Street Entrance

Over the last 40 years there has been a multi million dollar, joint Austrian / Turkish project to uncover the old city. They are about 10% into the project and we were privileged to have the main Turkish Archaeologist as our guide, he was a really nice guy. We bought his book, that he signed for us that will provide us with a whole lot more info.

We saw the place where Paul preached against the idols, (see Acts 19) and he ended up in goal as a result of it.

Library detail

Temple of Hadrin

We then we on to the village in Ephesus that the Apostle John lived and where he looked after Mary (Jesus Mother). John, because of his preaching, in the same vain as Paul, was sent to the Island of Pathos where he wrote Revelations and in Rev 2 the letter to the church in Ephesus. He returned to his village at Ephesus late in his life where he died and was buried, (see photo of his tomb below) 

Terrace house excavations 

It was a great day, to be walking on the same streets as Paul, John and Mary (Jesus mother) was pretty amazing.

Room in house

We are now heading to Philippi and our last port of call before arriving in Istanbul.

Where Paul preached against Idols

Plumbing systems used in these times

The Apostle John's tomb at his village