Ephesus

Initially when I was looking through cruise itineraries I knew we had to see Rome for the history, Naples for my mother, and Athens for my father. Any other ports would be icing on the cake. Türkiye turned out to be just such a destination. While I had longed to see Rome, Naples, and Athens for years, Türkiye was an incredible surprise. There was just something so magical about suddenly standing in a part of the world you didn’t even know you wanted to see. It was the farthest east any of us had ever traveled. Dancing on the crossroads between Europe and the Middle East, eager for the adventure to unfold.

The port of Kuşadasi.

After a short bus ride we arrived at the ancient city of Ephesus where we were first greeted by some friendly stray dogs and cats.

Founded in the 10th century BC, Ephesus was a large and important port city that became part of the Roman Empire. The city carries biblical importance as a home of the apostle Paul and was also visited by Cleopatra.

The Odeion.

The caduceus, a symbol of medicine - a staff with a snake wrapped around it. Across from this was the symbol of pharmacy (below).

The Nike of Ephesus.

Dad and mom.

Curetes Street, one of the main streets of Ephesus, leading down to the famous Library of Celsus.

Myself and Jenny.

One of the stray cats perched at the base of a statue.

Dad and mom.

A huge and intricate mosaic floor. Notice the stray dog curled up sleeping on the steps.

Liz.

The Temple of Hadrian.

Dad in front of the Library of Celsus.

Myself, dad, Jenny, Liz, and mom.

The Library of Celsus, one of the few remaining great libraries of the ancient world and the third largest Greco-Roman library. It was commissioned by Tiberius Julius Aquila Polemaeanus to honor his father Celsus. The library was believed to contain several thousand scrolls but the incredible facade is all that remains.

There are four female statues on the facade that symbolize the virtues of wisdom, knowledge, intelligence, and excellence. This is the statue of Arete, the personification of excellence. 

The interior of the library.

The back of the library’s ornate facade.

Due to some earlier rain, there was a large puddle in the library.

Dad (center) looking up at the wall.

Myself, Liz, and Jenny.

Jenny.

Myself and Jenny.

The statue of Artemis of Ephesus tucked away in a protected area.

The Theatre.

The view of the coast on the way back to Kuşadasi.