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İzmir, which is the third biggest city of Turkey, is a
modern, developed, and busy commercial center. It is very tipsy to
travel within its vivacious shopping center. The Çesme Peninsula, lapped
by the waters of the Aegean Sea, lies west of Izmir. Ephesus, which was
one of the most famous cities of ancient times, was one of the biggest
cities of the world during Roman period. Ephesus, which contains riches
of all Ion culture, was also increasing its reputation with dense
artistic activities.
Known in Turkish as "Beautiful Izmir" the city lies at
the head of a long and narrow gulf furrowed by ships and yachts. The
climate is mild and in the summer the constant and refreshing sea
breezes temper the sun's heat. Behind the palm-lined promenades and
avenues, which follow the shoreline, the city, in horizontal terraces,
gently ascends the slopes of the surrounding mountains. Izmir's port is
second only to Istanbul. A cosmopolitan and lively city all year round,
Izmir bursts with an added vibrancy during the international Arts
Festival (June/July) and the International Fair (August/September).
Ephesus Ruins
Vedius Gymnasium
It
is built by a rich ephesusian at the 2nd century AC for the name of
Vedius Antonius. It an magnificence building that sportive and cultural
education was given and characterise the periods properties by its
courtyard at east, ceremony saloon placed at middle, dressing room and
public baths.
Stadium
After the Vedius
Gymnasium through the ruins there is a stadium at the left. Stadium that
all races, games, Olympic organisations done in side, was occupying all
the sportive and cultural needs of period.
Acropolis
There is a
building dated to 6th century BC on a hill known as Acropolis at
opposite side to stadium. There is a temple dated to years of 350 BC at
north - west of the hill.
Theatre
Theatre one of
the most beautiful buildings of Ephesus ruins, remained very healthy and
since recent time it was easily used for festivals similar to Ephesus
Festival. Theatre with 25.000 capacity known that first built at
Hellenistic period, however the theatre remained to present day's re -
construction began at times of Empire Cladius, and finalised at the
years of 98 -117 in empire Trianus period.
Celsus Library
Celsus Library
placed next to commercial Agora was built from Roman architecture
Vitruoya by Asian consul Julius Aguila at the years of 135 AC. From an
door at the back wall getting in to Celsus tomb. Statue of Celsus placed
to tomb now is at the İstanbul Archaeology Museum. Building that shows
all characteristic properties of Roman architecture, front side
decoration take place in the most beautiful samples of its period. Four
women statues placed between front side columns symbolise elements of "mind",
"destiny", "science" and "wisdom". Today the original statues are at the
Vienna Museum.
Love house
When
you go up from marble street, at the cross section point with Kuretler
street Love house can be seen. This interesting house dated to first
century AC, consist of one main hall and many rooms connected to this
hall. It is estimated that the mosaic girl portraits found in love house
are figures of working girls in this building. It is very interesting
that in the love house there is and heating and cooling system present
equivalent to today's air condition system. It is known that there were
wine granaries, huge ovens, public baths, pools, bed rooms, conference
saloons and a magnificent library.
Hadrian Temple
Hadrian Temple
one of the most
beautiful buildings on the Kuretler street is Hadrian temple.. onlly the
frond facade remained from building.
In the architrave of temple the most interesting
mythological scene that figured out is the scene of mythological king
found ephesus Andoklos figured while killing a wild boar.
Trajan Fountain
After passing
Hadrian Temple a little forward at left Trajan fountain take place. The
statues decorate fountains floors now exhibits at Ephesus Museum.
Artemis Temple
It is known that
first ephesus settlements was built around these temple place. Temple
collapsed by an earth quake than ephesusians built temple more imposing
by the support of Roman empire. Ephesus Artemis Temple known as one of
the seven wonders of world today only base ruins remained.
St. Jean
Basilica
Basilisca that
built by Byzantine Empire Justinyen for the name of St. Jean at 6th AC,
is take place on Ayasuluk hill. Cross planed building have entrance at
west is 40 X 110 m. sized, and an domed type basilica.
Sven sleepers
Seven sleepers
ruin place estimated that buildind built at in to 5th and 6th BC
centuries period is an religious center place. According to rumor before
the acceptance of Christianity as official religion, seven young man
escape from idolaters take refuge here and sleep for 2 centuries than
woke up. When they woke up the Christianity accepted as official
religion. It is estimated about this miracle event, after those seven
young man dies they buried the same place and a building built in the
name of them. Today building bring to light by excavations, has very
huge monumental size and lots of rock engraved tombs, two churches and
catacombs can be found.
The Virgin Mary
house
There is the
Virgin Mary house of Christianity on Mount Bülbül. The holy place named
''Panaya Kapulu'' by Christians too, estimated to be built at 4th AC
century. the Jesus Christ commend his mother to his apostle and friend
St. Jean a little time before his arresting and crucifying. St. Jean
found inconvenient to live at Jerusalem for the Virgin Mary after the
Jesus Christ crucifying, so he take her with him to this place. St. Jean
whom undertake a holy mission of broadcasting Christianity, take target
ephesus one of the most huge cities of age and because of his desire to
don't settle the Virign Mary to an idolaters city he hide Her in a house
on the slope of Mount Bülbül covered with dense trees.
It is known that St. Jean secretly visit her, take foods
drinks and watch over her every day. It is accepted that the Virgin Mary
lived in this place at Mount Bülbül till 101 age and died in this place.
St. Jean buried the Virgin Mary in a place again on this mount doesn't
known for any body except him. After the broadcast of Christianity an
cross shaped church built on the Virgin Mary's residence place by
Christians. This place founded by descriptions of an crippled German nun
whom can't come to Turkey.
BERGAMA
Located 100 km
north of İzmir in the Bakırçay river basin, Bergama is one of Turkey's
oldest civilized settlements and it has been inhabited from pre-historic
times through the Ionic, Roman and Byzantine civilizations. It has
yielded archeological treasures whose importance is recognized world-wide.To
the southwest of Bergama, Asklepion, an important health center of the
ancient world, the acropolis founded on top of a steep hill (300 m) and
the Temple of Serapis (Kızıl Avlu) make this area a fascinating stop
for history-loving tourists. The Altar of Zeus was smuggled to Germany
in 1897.
Bergama is a
region famous for its beautiful thermal springs, the highland of Kozak,
its connection with the beautiful beaches of Ayvalık and its very
developed rug and textile industry.
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