Sightseeing tours ephesus– Ephesus was the capital city of a Roman province in Asia. It was a significant center of trade. Ephesus was located near a harbour at the mouth of the the river Kaystros in western Asia Minor. The city lay in a long, fertile valley. Major roads connected Ephesus to all the other significant cities in Asia Minor. It was favourably located geographically although it was subject to continuous shifting of the shore line. That was due to sedimentation, which led to several relocations of the city site and its harbours.
Ephesus was known for its amphitheatre, the largest in the world, designed to hold up to 50,000 spectators. Ephesus was also known for the location of the great temple of Artemis, or Diana, built in 550 BC. This temple, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was “425 ft. long and 220 ft. wide. Each of its 127 pillars which supported the roof of its colonnade was 60 ft. high”. Much Ephesian industry was related to this temple. Craftsmen sold shrines and household images of the goddess that worshipers could take with them on long journeys. The Ephesians were proud of their religious heritage and its accompanying legends (Acts 19:35).
Different periods, different traditions
Ephesus is an exceptional testimony to the cultural traditions of the Hellenistic, Roman Imperial and early Christian periods. The monuments in the centre of the Ancient City are the evidence for that. The Celsus Library, Hadrian’s Temple, the Serapeion and Terrace House 2. These all reflect the cultural traditions of the Roman Imperial period. Ephesus is part of other tours of ours as well. Round tours Turkey, for example, can include it.
Ephesus is mentioned often in Scripture. The extensive remains of the Basilica of St. John on Ayasuluk Hill and those of the Church of Mary in Ephesus are testament of the city’s importance to Christianity. Paul journeyed to Ephesus during his second missionary trip and stayed there for two years so that “all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord” (Acts 19:10). Ephesus was a prime site for evangelizing the whole province, due to the city’s accessibility and prominence in the region.
Christianity and Ephesus tours gained popularity rapidly
It was in Ephesus that Paul and his companions went into the massive amphitheatre where for two hours the mob shouted, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians” (Acts 19:23–41). Despite the strong objections to the gospel, many Ephesians came to faith in Christ through the faithful ministry of Paul and his companions. A church began there, and a few years later, Paul wrote to them a letter that we now call the book of Ephesians. Four hundred years later, Ephesus was the site of a major church meeting known as the Council of Ephesus.
Ephesus Tours, Balkan tours 2022 or for any tour with us, we pick you up from your hotel. For Ephesus tours, we will have a full day visit to the unforgettable ruins of Ephesus.
We will take you back to wherever you like to be. All you need to do is contact us for more information.
Saint John Basilica
Artemis Temple
Seven Sleepers Grotto
Virgin Mary’s House
