July 5, 2006
Ephesus (or in Turkish, Efes) was a coastal city founded by the Ancient Greeks in what is now southwest Turkey. Despite the Grecians starting the city, it only flourished under Roman rule from 129 BC. The ruins are an internationally renowned destination and are valued for their rich cultural heritage. Efes is commonly thought of as one of the best-preserved classical cities of the Eastern Mediterranean. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis, is at Efes and this monument covers the surface area of a soccer field. The Virgin Mary is believed to have lived the last years of her life in a small cottage in Efes and two popes have visited this house. Efes’s Celsus Library was one of the largest in its day and had capacity to house over 12,000 scrolls.
