Marmaris Ephesus Tour

Join us for an opportunity that may only come once in your lifetime to discover all the highlights of Ephesus an ancient city. Of all the ruins and architectural attractions in the world, Ephesus remains the most famous and is classified by UNESCO as one of the seven wonders of the World.

Recent excavations have revealed over 300 ancient cities on the Aegean coast. However, the biggest and most important city is Ephesus, which is situated 3 km from Selcuk in Izmir Province. Marmaris Ephesus Tour welcomes you to enjoy a walk through history where you will be just mesmerized by the splendour of it all.

This Marmaris Ephesus Tour will be the highlight of your holiday and also excellent value for your money. How about walking down the well-preserved streets just the same as the Apostle Paul, St John the Baptist and the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus did as well as many famous conquers of thousands of years ago.

You will soak up the atmosphere of this ancient city and see for yourself. This part of the World full of intrigue and fascination. Marmaris Ephesus Tour begins in Marmaris where you will board one of our luxury air-conditioned buses for approx. two and a half hours of comfort.

We take you 210 in the North-West of Marmaris along the freeways with little traffic via the D550 where you will enjoy views of the real Turkish countryside as our Marmaris Ephesus Tour takes you to Ephesus. Marmaris Ephesus Tour professional tour guides accompany you to give you comprehensive information about all the sites we take you to in English. They can also answer any queries and have a vast knowledge of this area. Apart from visiting Ephesus our Marmaris Ephesus Tour takes you to visit the most peaceful and important ancient shrine of The Virgin Mary over the Bulbul Mountain 9 km from Ephesus.

In Ephesus (which means desirable) you will see for yourself the atmospheric Grand Theatre of Ephesus where St Paul preached to the Ephesians, stand in front of the ancient Celsius Library, explore the Roman Baths, The Temple of Hadrian, Marble Street, Agora, and walk through the terrace houses which were occupied only by the rich people during the Roman Period.

You will see their vibrant mosaics and frescoes. It is also important to know that this city had a University in ancient times said to be the oldest in the whole nation. They had many prudes in teaching Philosophical Studies.

HISTORY

The Camas and Lydians were the earliest inhabitants of Ephesus City and responsible for building this fortified settlement of Ephesus which at that time was by the sea. Thanks to its excellent location on a deep inlet, it became a major trade route.

The construction of Ephesus dates back to the 8th century BC, where it was constructed on a marshy strip of land by the river Cayster. The earliest Temple is said to contain a sacred stone, a meteorite that had fallen from Jupiter. The next major structures and reconstruction took place in 600BC. Thus, the city was a major stronghold and flourished as the Major Port in the whole of this area.

High Stone Columns and many carvings in stone we’re dominant features. King Croesus conquered Ephesus in 500 BC and rebuilt the great shrine damaged during the conquest .it was 300 very long, 150 feet wide and had over 100 stone columns to support its massive roof.

This massive Temple became the Pride of Ephesus City until 356BC when it was destroyed by fire by a miscreant of Ephesus. Ephesus was a luxurious wealthy city, an opulent one with an ample harbour and is halfway between Jerusalem and Rome, a very important area and in St Pauls, time the population had 250,000 inhabitants just-in this city.

Closely connected with Alexandria it was of outstanding commercial importance. Amongst its ancient splendour before Christianity, it was a place of the magic arts, the occult and idolatrous superstitions of the Orient. The Ephesians worshipped the Asiatic Goddess Atriums, and her Temple became a supreme glory. Such was its fame and glory that it became at that time one of the seven wonders of the world.

The Goddess Diana the Pagan Goddess of Fertility was worshipped too and many spells’ charms and magic filled the air. You can see the statue of the goddess of Fertility in Ephesus. Pagans had claimed much esoteric knowledge of the supernatural, the moon and all its cycles and astronomical knowledge In the 1 st and 2 nd Century AD under the Ronan Empire, the city continued to prosper and became the capital of the Roman Empire., the largest city in the far east.

When St Paul first brought Christianity to Ephesus, he was very successful in his teachings. Ephesus remains the most essential place to visit as a Pilgrimage as the beginning of the spread of Christianity. St John the Baptist had settled in Ephesus with the Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus and John wrote his Gospel here in Ephesus. St Paul a disciple of Christ stayed in Ephesus City for three years where he wrote the Corinthians.

The House of the Virgin Mary

It is believed that St John the Baptist accompanied The Virgin Mary to the Bulbul Mountain known as The House of the Virgin Mary until her Assumption. This Shrine on the top of Bulbul Mountain (Mount Koressis) is located close to Ephesus in a magnificent green area. Its exact location was discovered by the Roman Catholic visionary Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774-1824)

This holy shrine has had a steady flow of pilgrims since its discovery and Anne Catherine Emmerich was beatified by Pope John Paul 11 in 2004. It is believed that the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist lived in this Stone house together until her Assumption. Many biblical figures and many Popes have visited here to this Holy Shrine. Amongst them, in 1896 Pope Leo XII and Pope Paul VI visited in 1967, Pope Paul II in 1979, Pope Benedict XVI in 2006. It was declared a Shrine and Pilgrimage centre for Christians.

It is also very interesting to note that this Holy Shrine is visited by Muslims who revere The Virgin Mary as the mother to one of their Prophets. On August 15th each year, the Assumption of Mary is celebrated here. The House of the Virgin Mary – The original two-story stone house consisted of a kitchen, an anteroom, a bedroom, a prayer room and a fireplace. Thus, the original stone building

dates to the Apostolic Age with typical Roman Architecture .in the 4 the century AD the existing house and grave of the Virgin Mary were combined and became a church. Although some of the building fell into ruins over time it was restored in 1940, s. Pilgrims can visit the central, part right up to the Sacred Altar.

This church serves as a place where all Christian Pilgrims can offer their prayers. This site on Bulbul Mountain is rightfully declared as a Holy Pilgrimage by the Supreme Church of the Vatican. The apostle of St John written here too. Ephesus is also mentioned in the Bible book of Revelation! The Epistle of St Paul, the Apostle to the Ephesians, contained the exposition of the divine plan for the World and the consummation of this in Christ.

Another interesting feature here, located next to the shrine is a holy well said to be the source of holy water. It is said to have miraculous healing properties and pilgrims revere this place drinking the water. It is a popular attraction and pilgrims tie their wishes here with their messages written on fabric or paper.

The Temple of Artemis

The famous Temple of Artemis dedicated to The Goddess Artemis” The mother Goddess of Fertility has been reconstructed many times. This flat area where this incredible structure was first built turned into a swamp and one can only witness the ruins of its foundations now. A single column erected on the actual foundations of this temple reminds visitors where this Wonder of our ancient world first stood.

The great Temple and greatly admired by many Roman historians and peoples who visited it with great admiration for its construction. The Temple housed great artwork, sculptures, and rare artwork, and was much bigger than the Parthenon that stands on the Acropolis in Athens today. THE Temple of Artemis was said then to be 424 feet in length and 235 feet wide

We have to remember raids by Goths destroyed much of this temple and the grand buildings. The rise of Christianity coupled with floods and Earthquakes eventually subdued further attempts of reconstruction and locals used stones to build their houses Over time the river silted up and the Port was no more, and Ephesus is now not navigable to the sea.

A City without a shipping trade ultimately changed the usefulness of the city and it declined in being favourable to shipping In the 5 the Century Ephesus remained an important city and was plundered by the Mongols and eventually due to bitter conflicts between the Seljuks and Ottomans it became more ruined.

However, as you meander today in The Ephesus site you can walk through the tunnel into the incredible Amphitheatre. How atmospheric to feel yourself sitting where thousands gathered in ancient times to watch the Gladiators fighting. Words can not express those deep special feelings. As you wander the streets you don’t stress many sculptures, interesting pillars and it’s nothing less than awe-inspiring to be there.

Marmaris Ephesus Tour enables you to get the real feel of ancient history walking in those same footsteps and benefiting from the best tour around. Yes contact us Marmaris Ephesus Tour, you will not be disappointed.