 |
| EPHESUS |
 |
 |
| excursIon detaIls |
One of the highlights of any visit to Turkey is Ephesus, the best preserved ancient city
Turkey. Ephesus which was established as a port,was used to be the most important
commercial centre. It played a great role in the ancient times with its strategic location.
Ephesus is located on a very fertile valley. The shrine of Virgin Mary enjoys a marvelous
atmosphere hidden in the green. It is the place where Mary may spent her last days.
Indeed,she may have come in the area together with Saint John. Who spent several
years in the area. The Trip to Ephesus covers the Celcius Library, the Marble Avenue,the
Largest Theatre in Turkey (25,000 seat capacity ) which is still used today for concerts
and the site of the temple of Artemis which was one of the 7 wonders of the world.
Stay overnight in a 4*/5* hotel in Pamukkale with a delicious dinner (open buffet)
and Turkish style entertainment. The next day after the breakfaast we visit the Roman
city of Hierapolis.Explore the ruins fo the citybaths and Amphitheatre. We than visit the
famous natural phenomenon of,Pamukkale ( cotton castle ) with its naturally formed
snowwhite terraces and pools cascading down the mountainside. On the way back |
| INCLUDES |
| Transfer,Guide,Breakfast,Entry Fees,HB Accomodation 4*Hotel |
EPHESUS is the largest and best-preserved ancient city
of the whole Mediterranean, and is the most visited tourist
attraction in TURKEY. Situated by a fine harbor of overland trade
routes, and beneficiary of the lucrative cults of the ANATOLIAN
mother goddess CYCBLE/ARTEMIS, EPHESUS led a charmed life from
earliest times. Legends relte that ANDROCULOS, son of king KODRUS of
ATHENS had been advised by an oracle to settle at a place indicated
by a fish and wild boar.
During the imperial period it was
designated the capital of ASIA, and ornamented with magnificent
public buildings.
Despite or perhaps because of CHRISTIANITY
EPHESUS took root early and quickly.
Saint John the Evangelist
arrived in the mid-first century, and Saint Paul spent the years
51-53 AD in the City.
 |
 |
THE CHURCH OF SAINT MARY: constructed between the 2nd
and 4th centuries AD. The building, originally a ROMAN WAREHOUSE was
the venue ofthe Economics Council in 431 AD.THE ARCADIAN WAY:
(currently off-limits while adjacent digs are underway),i so named
after the 5th Century BYZANTINE emperor ARCADIUS who renovated
it.
THE ANCIENT THEATRE: This is the largest and most impressive,
recently and brutally restored to provide additional seating forthe
various summer festivals. If you bother to climb past the 20,000
seats of half-modern masonry to the top, you will see the panoramic
view of the surrounding countryside.
THE MARBLE STREET: Begins
near the base of the theatre and heads almost straight south
THE
ANCIENT BROTHEL: Located in the very centre of the Roman
city.
THE LIBRARY OF CELCIUS: Originally erected by the consul
GAIUS JULIUS AQUILA between 110 & 135 AD, as a memorial to this
father CELCIUS POLEMAEANUS still entombed
|
| PAMUKKALE |
|
| excursIon detaIls |
After a lovely drive passing traditional Turkish villages and having breakfast on the way
we arrive at Hierapolis and Pamukkale. Hierapolis is an ancient Roman city adn was
established as a cure centre Pamukkale is one of the most extraordinary natural
wonders in Turkey. The big attraction is a vast white cliff side with scalop-shaped basins
of water and forzen waterfalls. It looks as if it’s made out of snow or cloud or balls of
cotton. On the way back we visit the hand craft centre. |
| INCLUDES |
| Transfer,Guide,Entry Fees,Breakfast,Open Buffet Lunch |
Built up over thousands of years, mineral deposits
carried by the natural hot springs of HIERAPOLIS have resulted in
one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world.
The
therapeutic properties and bizarre appearance of the hot spring were
known for thousands of years before an actual town was founded herre
by one of the PERGAMENE kings during the 2nd Century BC.
After
incorporation into the Roman Empire in 129 BC HIERAPOLIS seems to
have enjoyed considerable imperial favour, especially after a
catastrophic earthquake in 17 & 60 AD. No fewer than three
emperors paid personal visits, stimulating local emperor - worship
alongside the veneration of APOLLO and his mother LETO, who was
venerated in the guise of CYCBLE.
The city was famous for the
health-giving properties of its mineral water and hot springs and
gained great popularity during the Roman period. The Roman Baths,
Domitian Gate, Theatre, Temple of Apollo and Fountain are only some
of the ruins to be seen.
|
