KUSADASI AND EPHESUS, TURKEY

April 19, 2023

Sunny, high 65 deg F


We parked in the port of Kusadasi, a resort city in Turkey and took a bus tour about 15 miles to the excavated city of Ephesus.   Ephesus is an ancient city originally founded in the 10th century BC at the mouth of the river Kucuk Menderes. (Our guide called it the “Meander” River).   Ephesus became an important city in Roman times with a population that grew to at least 100,000 making it one of the largest cities in the Roman Empire.   As the river silted up the bay, the port became inoperable for shipping and the city started its decline around 350 AD.  Wars and earthquakes contributed to its decline and it was completely abandoned in the 15th century.   Father Time began covering the city until none of the prominent structures including the Library and Coliseum were visible.   Excavation began in the late 1880s and continues to this day.    The ruins are amazing to see.   We took a ton of photos, but in trying not to bore you we’ve included only a few.  On our drive back to port, our guide pointed to a mountainous area where the Apostle John resettled Jesus' mother, Mary, after Jesus was crucified.  


After the tour we sat through a demonstration aimed at getting us to buy expensive Turkish rugs (we resisted this time).   When we visited in 2012 we (Richard) fell for the sales pitch and bought a rug that we hung next to the fireplace at the lake house and later sold in the estate sale for pennies on the dollar.   

Following a nice lunch at a Turkish cafe, we walked along the boardwalk and beach.   Kusadasi is a lovely city and we could see why it is a popular tourist destination.  


                                    Kusadasi from our ship.


               Theater at entrance to Ephesus ruins. 



Community toilet--water ran in trough below (They had sophisticated plumbing system).   Imagine sitting & reading the papyrus & chatting while doing your business.   


     Intricate mosaic tile floors made from different color marble.



Entrance to what is believed to be a brothel.   They found a tunnel between the brothel and the library.   "Dear, I'm just going down to the library to do some studying." -- yeah, right....


          Front of the Library - said to be one of the largest in the 
          world at that time.

   
Columns at the Library--you can appreciate the height by the people at far end.


               Market place. Shops and storage on the right


                 Inside the library                                



                                            Guess who?


            A Roman skit at the end of our tour.


Road to the harbor made of marble slabs


             Huge stadium - estimated to seat 24,000 where the                     bible tells us the Apostle Paul preached.


                 Back to Kusadasi.   Oligarch yacht?


              Another view of the town of Kusadasi

                                      

                                Sculpture on the boardwalk


      Part of an extended beach.   Water still too cold for swimmers.

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