Welcome to Turkey....

Ephesus was our first stop in Turkey. It was definitely one of my favorite places that we visited during our trip....their history is so rich and the ruins were incredible (Ephesus is the most significant archaeological site in Turkey). I wasn't quite sure what to expect from Turkey, but I must say that it FAR exceeded my expectations. It's a beautiful country and I would definitely go back! I really hope that I get a chance to return there some day.

Biblical Significance: Paul went to Ephesus on his third missionary journey and stayed there for approximately two years. He spoke in the Jewish synagogue for three months and then had daily discussions in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. Paul's time in Ephesus ended following a riot incited by the silversmiths (Acts 19:1 - 20:1). On his return to Jerusalem at the end of his third missionary journey, Paul decided agaist stopping in Ephesus. But while in Miletus, he called for the elders of the church at Ephesus and warned them against false teachers who would try to slip in among them (Acts 20:17-38).

Sailing into the Port of Kusadasi, Turkey...

This was the first stop where our ship could dock at port, so "disembarkation" was very easy! A picture of our beautiful sailboat in the background....

Jill and Jimmy...

We took a short 20 minute bus ride from Kusadasi to the ruins of Roman Ephesus. A picture of the first set of ruins you see walking into the ancient city....

The Odeon or "town hall"....the most important decisions and city matters were discussed here.

Josh and I at the very top, discussing "important matters" of course...

At one of the entrances of the Odeon...

Curetes Street.....leading down to the Library of Celsus. We were not the only people there that day...it was packed with tourist!

More pretty ruins....I can't remember if this was a fountain or temple...pardon my bad note taking!



Nike, the Goddess of Victory....Swoosh!

Remains of beautiful mosaic sidewalks that lined the market area where the wealthy use to shop.

A tour inside the terrace houses...."the houses of the rich." This area is being heavily excavated right now, so they have built a large tent over the houses with modern walk ways for tourists to watch the progress. There are 6 units....the largest one measuring 9000 square feet!

Painted murals decorated the walls...

The restoration of the marble hall in terrace house 2...

The end result....they have a long way to go! The project is called the world's largest jigsaw puzzle!

The Library of Celsus...



Entrance/Exit to the right of the library...

The Great Theater located on the slopes of Mount Pion, where the "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians" riot took place in Acts 19.

The theater could hold 24,000 people...it was large and in charge!

Lunch break over looking the Port of Kusadasi...

The ruins of the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The temple once had 127 columns and was 180 feet wide and 375 feet long. Today, only 1 column remains, with a lovely bird nest on top!

Another view of the Temple of Artemis from The Basilica of St. John (the apostle)....you can barely see the column in the middle of this picture...

Ruins of the Basilica of St. John (the castle in the background is not part of the basilica ruins)


The place inside the basilica ruins where John is "supposedly" buried.

As you can see, there was so much to see in Ephesus! We spent the longest time there compared to all of our other stops. It was such a great day....one I will always remember! Next up...Philippi!