Ephesus Religious Site

Address: Ephesus (Efes) archaeological site, near Selçuk, İzmir Province, Turkey

Ephesus is an extensive ancient Greek and Roman city located near the modern town of Selçuk in İzmir Province, Turkey, famous for its well-preserved public buildings and urban plan. The site reached its height under Roman rule in the 1st and 2nd centuries CE and remains one of the region’s most important classical archaeological complexes.

The site includes the ornate facade of the Library of Celsus (rebuilt in the 2nd century CE) and the vast Great Theatre, which seats roughly 25,000. Other visible highlights include the colonnaded Curetes Street, public baths, shops, and the richly decorated Terrace Houses with mosaics and frescoes dating mainly to the early Roman period.

Ephesus began as an Archaic Greek settlement and later became the Roman provincial capital of Asia. Major construction phases date from the Hellenistic period through the Roman Empire; the city declined after Roman times because of harbour silting and repeated earthquakes, and it was largely abandoned in the Byzantine period.

The ruins sit adjacent to the modern town of Selçuk, a short drive from the harbour plain; the site is about 80 kilometres south of the city of İzmir and lies on the Aegean coastal plain with the mountains behind it.

• Highlights: Most visitors come to view the reconstructed façade of the Library of Celsus and the adjacent Great Theatre, which together form the iconic central axis of the site.
• Practical tip: The archaeological site is spread across a large area; wear comfortable shoes since the main excavated zone extends for over a kilometre between major monuments.

What to See#

• Library of Celsus: Facade largely rebuilt in the 2nd century CE; original library held scrolls and the facade is about 16 metres high.
• Great Theatre: Open-air Roman theatre carved into the slope with an estimated capacity of about 25,000 spectators and excellent acoustics.
• Terrace Houses: Residential quarter with well-preserved mosaic floors and frescoes, mainly dating to the 1st century BCE and 1st century CE; access is via a raised walkway.
• Curetes Street: The cultic street and main thoroughfare of the city, lined with colonnades and public buildings, connecting the theatre to the harbour area.
• Temple of Artemis (nearby): Site of the Temple of Artemis lies near modern Selçuk; the temple was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World but little remains at the original footprint.

The ruins of Ephesus are adjacent to the town of Selçuk in İzmir Province. From the city of İzmir the drive is about 75-90 km south (roughly 1-1.5 hours by car on the coastal/Aydın road). Regular regional trains and buses run from İzmir (Basmane bus and train station) to Selçuk; from Selçuk town the archaeological site is about 2-4 km away - a short local dolmuş/minibus ride or a 20-40 minute walk will take you to the entrance, and there is parking if you arrive by car.

Trains from İzmir Basmane to Selçuk and frequent intercity buses make Selçuk the usual base for visiting Ephesus.

• Arrive at opening or late afternoon to beat the cruise‑ship crowds from Kuşadası; the main streets like Curetes (Archaeologists') Street are most pleasant before mid‑day.
• Buy the combined ticket that includes entry to the Terrace Houses (House of the Rich) and visit those houses early-the Terrace Houses have a separate entrance and limited opening hours and are often closed by the time later arrivals reach them.
• Don't skip the Ephesus Archaeological Museum in Selçuk after the site visit-the museum houses many of the original sculptures and inscriptions removed from Ephesus and gives important context that's missing on the open‑air tour.