Originally known as Kirkintzes (Greek: Κιρκιvτζές), Şirince is a community with a rich history and enchanted ambiance tucked away in the Selçuk area of İzmir Province. Şirince is culturally and historically important; it is roughly 8 kilometers east of Selçuk and near the remnants of ancient Ephesus. With just 456 residents as of 2022, its […]

The Library of Celsus, a lasting remnant of the ancient Roman era, exemplifies the magnificence and intellectual zeal of the Roman Empire. Located in Ephesus, Anatolia—present-day Turkey—this extraordinary edifice was commissioned in the early 2nd century CE by Tiberius Julius Aquila Polemaeanus to commemorate his father, Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, a former proconsul of Asia. […]

The House of the Virgin Mary (Turkish: Meryemana Evi or Meryem Ana Evi) is a revered Catholic shrine located on Mt. Koressos (Bülbüldağı, or Mount Nightingale) near the ancient city of Ephesus, roughly 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) from Selçuk in Turkey. Pilgrims of both Christian and Muslim religions adore this location, believing it to be […]

The Great Theatre of Ephesus exemplifies the brilliance of ancient architects and engineers. This monumental edifice, constructed from marble, has endured the effects of time, climate, and human activity, maintaining its magnificence and historical importance. The theatre, measuring 145 meters in width and capable of hosting up to 24,000 spectators, stands as one of the […]

The Terrace Houses in Ephesus, located on the northern slope of Bülbüldağı Hill, exemplify the magnificence of Roman household architecture. This opulent residence complex, located opposite to Curetes Street and facing the Temple of Hadrian, provides an unmatched glimpse into the lives of the city’s aristocracy. Excavation investigations have revealed two major complexes—Eastern and Western—each […]

Ephesus, referred to in Ancient Greek as Ἔφεσoς (romanized as Éphesos) and in Turkish as Efes, was a significant city of antiquity, with its origins linked to the Hittite settlement of Apasa. Located on the western coast of Asia Minor, about three kilometers southwest of present-day Selçuk in Turkey’s İzmir Province, Ephesus developed into an […]