Famous Colonnade

2,000 Year Old Colonnade

According to Chris (& the Encyclopedia Britannica), while the Apostle Paul was in Ephesus about 53-54 A.D. he was likely imprisoned in the hilltop jail seen beyond this colonnade. There he wrote Galatians, I Corinthians, Philippians, and probably Philemon. Some believe Ephesus is also where Mary, mother of Jesus, lived until her death. According to our guide, Marc Antony, later in his life, had his headquarters in Ephesus and rode in a procession down this street with his "Queen of Kings" Cleopatra.

Restorations Progress in Ephesus

Beautiful 25,000 Seat Theater

The Library of Celsus

The Turkish government is still excavating and restoring some of the old city including the beautiful Library of Celsus and the 25,000 seat theater. We couldn't tour into the theater but, unlike Greece, we were able to go just about anywhere else we wanted. Though the theater was started much earlier, the finished structures were both built during the Roman rein of Trajan (98-117 A.D.). The library was reported to be the largest in the world during it's heyday until it was destroyed by fire.

Nike Goes Retro - Way, Way, Back

Our Tour Guide Describes the Attributes of the Greek Goddess Nike

I think the "swoosh" was represented by the folds of the curved cape. This bust was one of many displays we saw along the main walking street.

Kusadasi Turkey

Erina & Patricia Disembarked Under Sunny Skies & the Turkish Flag

Our tour took us to Kusadasi, Turkey where we visited the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus, known for the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World and for the Apostle Paul’s New Testament writings to the Church at Ephesus. Xerxes left his children at Ephesus when he invaded Greece around 479 B.C. Alexander the Great conquered the city in 333 B.C. and then 200 years later the Romans had gained power.