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Ephesus is one of the most fascinating archeological sites on the
eastern Mediterranean. The findings at this ancient city are the
remains of one of the most important cities in the Roman Empire. The
ruins from the Roman and early Christian era are so extensive and
well preserved that it is easy to imagine the daily interactions of
the 250,000 people who used to live here.
This area grew to be the
second-largest city in the Roman Empire and the site of a Christian
Shrine thought to be the one time Home of the Virgin Mary. Ephesus
flourished as the center for worship to the fertility goddess
Cybele.
The Arcadian Way was the street and the amphitheater held
over 24,000 people. The Temple of Hadrian, The Celsus Library, The
Marble Way and the Fountain of Trajan are under constant
restoration, but in amazingly good condition.
The House of Virgin Mary where the Blessed Virgin is reputed to have
spent the last years of her life. The site was made famous by the
travels of Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II. in November of 2006,
Pope Benedictus the 16th paid an official visit to the House of the
Virgin Mary. Outside is the Fountain of Our Lady, providing the
faithful water from the holy foundation.
The Terrace Houses of Ephesus inside the ancient site, which is
considered as an exclusive museum in Ephesus located on the slopes
of Bulbul Mountain, opposite the Hadrian Temple. Also called as "the
houses of rich", these houses belonged to the important and
prominent people of Ephesus. The terrace houses contain great
engraving, mosaics, sections, floors, representing the life style of
the rich Ephesians who used to live in these apartments.
The most ancient of the houses were built in the first century BC,
and most of the houses were restored in the second century AD. The
houses seemed plain from outside, but inside were constructed with
the highest standards of their era. They are decorated with mosaics
and frescoes, and they had interior courtyards in the center, with
the ceiling open. The houses also had cold and hot water usage to
give you an idea about the quality of life in Ephesus.
The Ephesus Archeological Museum exhibits the religious and
chronological history of the ancient city. Filled with attractively
displayed mosaics, statuary, and other artifacts, the museum
exhibits several marble statues of the Mother Goddess Artemis,
goddess of nature, childbirth, and the harvest.
Combining the information at the Open Air Museum and the Archeology
Museum will give you a very fulfilling idea of the city of Ephesus
and its importance in the ancient times.
The St. John's Basilica, a once great church built on a 2nd century
tomb thought to hold the remains of St. John. While the church is
now in ruins, there are frescoes, mosaics and graceful columns that
attest to the glory that marked the place where St. John, the
Evangelist, lived and died. |
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The Topkapi Palace for over three centuries has served as the grand
palace for the Ottoman Sultans. The palace was built on the shores
of the Bosphorus. Constructed after the Conquest of Constantinople
in 1453, it is now a museum. The imperial palace houses the popular
Harem, the private quarters of Mehmet IV. Among the many jewels and
precious stones that the Imperial Treasury holds are; an uncut
emerald weighing approximately over 7 pounds (3.26 kg), the pearl
studded throne, and the golden Topkapi dagger.
The Blue Mosque is known to architects as one of the great marvels
of the world. It is called the Blue Mosque because its interior
gleams with a magnificent paneling of blue and white tiles, which
are enhanced by the reflection of the sun. It was built between 1603
– 1617 on the orders of Sultan Ahmet I. It houses a series of
magnificent domes, Byzantine ivory work, beautifully decorated tiles
and six distinctive minarets, which no other mosque in Istanbul
possesses. The decor of this mosque is classic Ottoman style and
design.
The Hippodrome (an ancient Roman stadium) was built in 198 AD by the
Emperor Septimius Sererus. Numerous chariot races took place here.
The races were known to have political and military implications.
The Hippodrome was the center of the Byzantium era for over a 1,000
years.
The Grand Bazaar is one of the most famous markets in the world. Its
official name in Turkey is Kapali Carsi, and it is also known as the
covered market. The Grand Bazaar was constructed shortly after the
Conquest of Constantinople at the command of Faith Mehmet. Today it
houses over 4,000 shops, with an enormous variety of goods.
Basilica Cistern also known as the Yerebatan Sarayi or the
Underground Palace is not a basilica but a Byzantine cistern
(underground reservoir). It is 70 m (230 feet) wide and 140 m (459
feet) long and the fine brick vaulting is supported by 336 columns.
The Galata Tower is believed to have been constructed in
approximately 1348. Now a major tourist attraction, this ancient
bastion was added as reinforcement for the defensive walls designed
to protect it in the event of an enemy attack. The tower, a massive
cone shaped structure was built at approximately 38 m (115 feet)
above sea level, and rises to a height of 72 m (220 feet) above its
base. There is an amazing view from the tower that encompasses this
ancient city.
Hagia Sophia Museum (Aya Sofya in Turkish) was originally a basilica
created at the command of the Emperor Justinian during 532 to 537.
This basilica was known to archeologists as a Theodosian Church.
After the Conquest of Constantinople in 1453, the Ottomans converted
the basilica into a mosque and then in 1932, Hagia Sophia was
converted into a museum. It is renown for its Byzantine Mosaic
decor, the enormous wooden plaques with the sacred names of Islam
inscribed, massive pillars, and at one time hosted the largest dome
in the ancient world.
Beylerbeyi Palace, situated on the Asian side of the Bosphorus, was
built by Sultan Abdul Aziz in the 19th century. It possesses a
beautiful garden with magnolia trees. It was used as a summer
residence of the Ottoman Sultans and a great house for visiting
foreign dignitaries and heads of state.
Kariye Museum is the 11th century church of St. Saviour in Chora.
The church is one of the most important Byzantine monuments in
Istanbul. The walls of the church are decorated with magnificent
14th century frescoes and mosaics on a gold background. The walls
illustrate scenes from the life of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary.
The Chora Church represents the last golden age of Byzantine.
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