PRIVATE EPHESUS TOUR

Tour Start:  Kusadasi / Selcuk Hotels

Private Ephesus Tour is the easiest way to explore the area. Since this area has deep historical value and rich cultural heritage, visiting the area with a tour is a good way to ensure you miss nothing important.

Ephesus is the most famous ancient site in Turkey. Built after 1040 BC by refugees coming from Aegean Islands, it became one of the most important port cities of ancient world. Later on, it became a Greek city more than a major Roman city in time. It was one of the twelve cities of Ionian League in Classical Greek Era. In 1^st century BC population of Ephesus was approximately 250,000. It was an important commercial center as a port city and religious center with Artemis Temple nearby and Virgin Mary’s Church as the first temple dedicated to Mother of Jesus. It was also sacred for Christians because of its connections with Virgin Mary, Saint Paul and Saint John The Evangelist.

Temple of Artemis is one of the Seven Wonders of the World completed in 550 BC is at the outskirts of Ephesus. It is a sanctuary built in a sacred place. The temple itself dates back to 8^th century BC but the sacred place dates way back. It has been destroyed three times and rebuilt. But it has been abandoned after Christians started to rule the area.

Virgin Mary’s House is a Muslim and Catholic shrine located at the skirt of Bulbul Mountain in Selcuk. It is discovered after a Catholic nun in Germany described the place in her visions about a house Mother Mary lived before she died. It has become an important pilgrimage spot for Catholics since then.

Ephesus Tour Program

08:30 AM  Pick up your hotel.

• First we will visit Artemis Temple, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, standing today next to Ephesus Antique City. Then we will drive to Ephesus. Ephesus was one of the most important harbor cities in antique world and also it is mentioned in the book of Revelations as one of the seven churches. Also Celsus Library and theater in Ephesus are the other highlights. In Ephesus we will see, Celcus Library, Temple of Hadrian, the fountain of Trajan and the Theater.
• We will have lunch in a local Turkish restaurant and drive to Virgin Mary’s House. This place is discovered by Lazarist priests after a German nun described the house and the mountain as the last residence of Virgin Mary after she had some visions about the place. Today this place is a Muslim and Catholic, being cared by Lazarist Fathers. Lazarist Fathers still celebrating the mass everyday.
• 16:30 End of the tour and drive back to your hotel.