Biblical Ephesus Tour

Biblical Ephesus Tour
Meeting with your guide at the exit of the terminal Izmir Airport, Izmir Port (hotel pick up is also available) and drive to Selcuk. You will visit first the Temple of Artemis (Diana) being one of the seven wonders in the ancient world. Continue to visit the House of Virgin Mary, where both Pope Paul VI in 1967 and Pope John Paul II in 1979 have celebrated mass. Ephesus is one of the largest archeological sites; for many Christians the best-known building in Ephesus is the large Theater where in 1st century AD a silversmith attempted to stir up a riot to get rid of Paul who was damaging his business of making images of Diana. (Sightseeing includes: Marble Street, Odeon, Bouleterion, Temple of Hadrian, Agora, the Bath of Scholastica, Love house, Library of Celsius, Great Theatre, Harbour Street). 100% Satisfaction Guarantee No extra hidden charges.

Biblical Ephesus Tour - About Ephesus
Ephesus is one of the seven churches mentioned in the book of Revelation (1:11; 2:1-7). It is mentioned 18 times in the New Testament. It was the center for the worship of Artemis (Roman Diana). The Austrians have been excavating there for over 100 years!Most of these artifacts are housed in the Ephesus Museum in Selcuk. According to the old legends, Ephesus was founded by the female warriors known as the Amazons. The name of the city is thought to have been derived from "APASAS", the name of a city in the "KINGDOM OF ARZAWA" meaning the "city of the Mother Goddess". Ephesus was inhabited from the end of the Bronze Age onwards, but changed its location several times in the course of its long history in accordance with habits and requirements. Carians and Lelegians are to be have been among the citys first inhabitants.

Did you know that fact about Ephesus?
But did you know about the place outside of Ephesus called garbage heap (trash heap)? According to the historical records unwanted babies - mostly girls -due to the belief to the Artemis goddess (Artemis was the goddess of fertility both giving blessings to woman willing to have a child and also protecting from the child birth, as every third woman was likely to die during the child birth) were left in the isolated area to die. The most healthiest of them were picked up by the slave traders and used to be slaves or prostitutes

The City Of Ephesus

The main street of the city was the Arcadian Way which led from the harbor to the theater. The street was over 100 feet wide and paved with marble slabs. The street was often used for parades and ceremonies, and was flanked on either side by rows of columns 50 feet deep. The street was named in honor of the emperor Arcadius (A.D. 383-408) who enlarged and restored it. At night the street was lit by lanterns.

The great theater at Ephesus gives us some idea of the elegance of the ancient city in the time of Paul. The construction began during the reign of Claudies (A.D. 41-54) and was completed during the reign of Trajan (A.D. 98-117). This massive structure measured 495 feet in diameter and seated an estimated 25,000 people. The great uproar over Diana of the Ephesians took place here (Acts 19).

The Library of Celsus built in A.D. 135 by Julius Aguila in memory of his father, Celsus, who was a Roman senator and governor-general of the province of Asia. Here thousands of parchments and papyri were stored, protected from dampness and worms by a double wall. Estimates of the number of rolls that could be stored in the library vary from 9,500 to 12,000. Celsus was a lover of books and was given the honor of being buried, not only within the city, but in the vault of his own library among his books. On the first floor of its fassade there stood four female statues representing wisdom, fortune, knowledge, and virtue.

Another important street was Curetes Street, which derived its name from the Curetes (priests), who guarded the sacred fire of the hestia (hearth) in the prytaneion. The Curetes were a college of priests attached to the service of Artemis. Many inscriptions and reliefs may be seen along the street, including a relief representing Nike, the goddess of victory, with a wreath in her left hand and a spike in the right. The most beautiful building on Curetes Street is the Temple of Hadrian (A.D. 117-138). The Fountain of Trajan (A.D. 98-117) is located on the northern end of the street it was dedicated to the Emperor Trajan at the end of the first century.

The Odeion in Ephesus had 22 tiers and accommodated over 1500 spectators. Here musicians played their flutes, lyres, and citharas, and poets recited from Homer.