"Ephesus - Caesars outpost in Asia Minor " a Ephesus Travel Page by MikeAtSea

The ruins of Ephesus take on a value and a special significance among the numerous sites of an archaeological interest. This is due to its inestimable artistic patrimony, its titanic heritage of history and culture, and the inexhaustible beauty and charm of its archaeological site and it is certainly one of the most spectacular Roman sites that I have seen.

The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and was built around 550 BC; it was about four times the size of the Parthenon. Ephesus was part of the kingdom of Pergamum which Attalus III bequeathed to Rome in 133 BC. Ephesus was the most important Roman city of proconsul Asia. Situated at the mouth of the Cayster River on a gulf of the Aegean Sea, it flourished as an important commercial export centre for Asia. By new times it had grown to at least 250,000 people. Gradually the harbour silted up and is now some miles from the sea. In modern day Turkey Ephesus is known as Efes. The Selçuk-Ephesus Museum is a must visit and an exploration of ancient times.

In almost all the visits of antique ruins in Turkey I was amazed how well preserved they are and how much effort has been made to ensure that coming generations also witness the creativity and creations of one of the largest European Empires.

Ephesus is situated on the West Coast of Turkey close to Izmir about 80 km to the North and Kusadasi one of Turkeys prime holiday destinations around 20 km to the South.