Travel places to see in Ephesus 2023 by BestEphesusTours? Laodicea is located right across the ancient city of Hierapolis. It was once a trade city which was known with glossy black wool and eye salve trade. Mentioned in the Book of Revelation as the luke warm city. Recently Turkish archaeologists excavated a church dating to the time of Constantine. This is thought to be one of the earliest churches of the world. This site is recommended for biblical history lovers. Aphrodisias is 3 hours drive from Kusadasi town. Aphrodisias is derived from the goddess named as Aphrodite, the goddess of love. An artisan city known with sculpturors who made sculptures and sarcaphaguses with the local white marble. You can see the best examples of marble works in this city. The site has the most well preserved ancient stadium in the world which has a capacity of 30.000 people. The huge pool at the south agora is breathtaking. Find more information on https://www.bestephesustours.com/private-ephesus-tours-from-port-of-izmir-airport.html.

This citadel-like basilica once occupied the whole breadth of the hill it sits on and was ranked with the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople (now the Aya Sofya) as one of the Byzantine Empire’s largest churches. According to tradition, the grave of St. John is under the church. Originally, a mausoleum with a domed roof borne on four columns was built over the grave, but the Emperor Justinian replaced this simple monument with a three-aisled basilica on a Latin-cross plan boasting six domed roofs. Including the narthex at the western end and the arcaded courtyard, the basilica was 130 meters long and 40 meters wide. After the Seljuks captured Ephesus in 1130, the church was converted into a mosque and later served as a bazaar until it was finally destroyed by an earthquake. Although only partially restored, the basilica ruins that remain give a good idea of the awesome size of the original building.

Ayasuluk Fortress sits on the hill above the Basilica of St. John and is accessed by a trail that leads up from behind the basilica. This hilltop site has been settled since the Neolithic period, but the fortress dates from the Byzantine era, and the fortifications were extended by the Seljuks. The fortress area was closed for years due to archaeologists excavating the site, but it has now been opened to visitors. The mighty enclosure wall had 15 rectangular towers. Inside, there’s not much to see, except for a small Seljuk-era mosque, but the views over town and the surrounding countryside are wonderful from the hilltop, making a trip here well worth the uphill walk.

Virgin Mary is also known as the mother of Jesus, a central figure of Christianity. Before Jesus was crucified at the age of 33; he entrusted his mother to his friend and apostle St. Jean. St. Jean brings Virgin Mary to the biggest and the most peaceful city of the age, Ephesus. She is thought to have spent her last days in the House of the Virgin Mary. A German bedridden patient named Anna Katherina Emmerick was consoling herself with special visions of the life of Jesus and Mary. The advancement of these visions caused her to express historical places, people, and events in more detail. These special visions attracted the attention of one of the German poets of that period, Clemens Brentano. For this reason, the poet moved to a house close to where the woman was and started to take notes of what the woman said. The poet compiled what Anna Katharina Emmerick said and published a book called The Life of Mary.

Best Ephesus Tours is one of the most experienced travel agency based in Kusadasi-Ephesus, expert for Private Ephesus Tours and Ephesus tours from Kusadasi Port (Kusadasi Shore Excursions) from Kusadasi, Selcuk, Izmir Airport, Izmir Hotels, Kusadasi Cruise Port, Izmir Cruise Port and Istanbul (Ephesus Day Trip From Istanbul by Flight). The founders of the Best Ephesus Tours are two professional licensed tour guides experienced for more than 10 years especially in Ephesus Shore Excursions and Private Ephesus Tours. See additional info at https://www.bestephesustours.com/.

Located right next to the Celsus Library, the square is the city’s most important trade and cultural center, Agora, which is the marketplace. Agora has a total of 3 doors, and was built in BC. It was founded in the 3rd century during the reign of Emperor Augustus. Agora was damaged due to a big earthquake in the 4th AC. century and became unusable. In the 6th century AC, a new agora was established in the northern part using the remains here. The section where the newly established agora is located today serves as the Gendarmerie barracks center and entrance to that area is prohibited.