Kusadasi/Ephesus

We had an early morning arrival at the port of Kusadasi, Turkey. This town of 90,000 people is the gateway to the historic site of Ephesus.

We met our private guide and set off to visit one of antiquity’s best preserved cities. Ephesus was founded in the 10th century BC. It is a huge site covered with the remnants of bath houses, temples, administrative buildings and two agoras or market sites

The most memorable structure is the library of Celsius. This library once held 12,000 scrolls and was one of the largest libraries in the ancient world.

We walked through ruined temples and along market places where it was easy to imagine what life might have been like in ancient times. We appreciated the cultural and Christian heritage of this beautiful site. Both St. John and St. Paul spent time here and Ephesus played an important part in the spread of early Christianity.

The city was destroyed by the Goths in 263. It was rebuilt but declined in importance as the harbor was silted up by the surrounding river. (Wikipedia)

Narrative Again Thanks to Patty

I once again went to bed upon arriving back on the boat.Read more