Ephesus (Kusadasi) Turkey April 16, 2022

April 17, 2022

Kusadasi with its population of 100,000 residents is a charming coastal town of which we did not get to see that much because the emphasis was of course to visit Ephesus. Ephesus was one of the largest metropolis of the ancient world. Based on the seating capacity of the theater 25,000 it is estimated to have had 250,000 inhabitants. It was discovered in 1869 while British engineer John Turtle Wood was searching for the Temple of Artemis. An Austrian team of Archeologists have been excavating since 1895. Excavations have unearthed structures back to the 10th century BC. Excavations continue, as only about 12 % of the city has been unearthed. Recent efforts have focused on the area called The Terraces, which are or I should say were the homes of the elite. Ephesus was an ancient port city and once considered the most important Greek city and trading center in the Mediterranean. It survived multiple attacks and changed hands many times between conquerors and was abandoned in the 15th century. It was once a port city but earthquakes and other natural events silted up the mouth of the Cayster River and it is now miles away and no longer a port town.

The history of Ephesus is so extensive I wont even begin to delve into it. If you want to know the details you’ll just have to Google it.

I was here in 2015 and was impressed and froze my butt off. This time the weather could not have been nicer and it was just as impressive seeing it the second time. It changes with each visit as excavation is a continuous process. I sent Margit off on a tour of the Terraces as they are truly impressive, and I went on the “included” tour. My guide was very knowledgeable and extremely enthusiastic. His enthusiasm stemmed primarily from being able to guide tours again after 2 years of Covid-shut down. He even asked if our group of only 9 people would mind having a group picture taken to be posted on his Instagram page. We were more than happy to accommodate. You may wonder why so few people, well 9 people cancelled because they had booked other tours which included much of what our tour did and it would have been a repeat for them. Margit was one of those people. Sometimes the write-ups of the tours are not detailed enough to know if one tour overlaps with another.

Once back in Kusadasi, our tour ends in town just 5 minute walk from the cruise port. Some opted to browse around, others went to the Carpet store where the art of Turkish carpet weaving, knotting was demonstrated and while sipping a typical Turkish drink you could be shown and endless variety of carpets. Of course the proprietor was hoping to sell some carpets. And he did, to me, but not due to his sales tactics but because I had it in mind to buy a Turkish Carpet. It was just a matter of which one and getting the a good price. After that, back on board and sail away at 5:30.

Next day a sea day…..and Easter Sunday.

The Library of Celsus in Ephesus

View from our stateroom, the port of Kusadasi, Turkey

Typical housing in Kusadasia, as we see on our way to Ephesus

Lovely rolling hills and green country side with many Olive trees

We arrive at Ephesus and are greeted by venders on both sides of the road. All selling Genuine Fake Rolex’s and so on.

Entering the grounds of Ephesus, a large display of the Turkish flag

Sarcophaguses

The Grand Theater, it has perfect acoustics due to its design and the winds that blow from the ocean into the theater.

Most of the marble is new but there are still sections with the original marble stones. The new are squares he old have an irregular shape and surface.

The Mulberry threes were in full bloom. The silk worms make their homes here. Silk being an important fiber in carpet weaving, makes the mulberry tree very important.