Ephesus, located 600km (373 miles) southwest of Istanbul, is one of the grandest and best-preserved ruins of the ancient world. According to evidence dating from around 1400 BC, the Hittites were the first to settle the site, which they named Apasas. Ephesus first attained importance in the first century BC, due to its position as a sheltered harbour and the starting point of the royal road leading to Susa, the capital of the Persian Empire. The temple was originally founded in the seventh century BC as a shrine to the Anatolian goddess, Cybele. It was destroyed and subsequently rebuilt seven times; the classical marble structure with Ionic columns built around 550 BC was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The Romans captured the city in 189 BC and it continued to flourish, with fountains, pools and the second largest library outside of Alexandria. One of Ephesus’ attractions is the fact that so much of it remains intact and little imagination is required to see what the Roman city would have looked like.

Tourist Information Office, Selçuk, Izmir 35920, Turkey
Tel: (0232) 892 6945
Website: www.ephesusguide.com

Air: Istanbul Atatürk Airport, Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, Dalaman Airport, Adnanmenderes Airport, Izmir (domestic flights). Rail: Train: Selçuk Station. Road: Bus: Public services. Car: Selçuk–Kusadasi Road (from Selçuk or Kusadasi).

Turkey