Category: Izmir

Private Ephesus Tours for Norwegian Spirit passengers

2/3/2019

We offer exclusive private Ephesus tours for Norwegian Spirit passengers. Norwegian Spirit call to the Port of Kusadasi and only stay half day at the Port of Izmir. We customize private tours of Ephesus depending the port timings of Norwegian Spirit at the Port of Kusadasi

Suggested private Ephesus tour programs for Norwegian Spirit passengers are as as follows:

KUSADASI - No:1
Halfday (3.5 hours) Tour of Ephesus & Temple of Artemis
Meet with your guide in front of the Kusadasi port passenger terminal. Drive to the country. See the TEMPLE OF ARTEMIS, one of the wonders of the ancient world. Then a visit to EPHESUS is a visit to one of the best preserved ancient cities in the world. Ancient historians believed that Ephesus was founded by the Amazons, but now, it is believed to have been the Hittite city of Apasas. With your guide, you will see the Odeion, where the advisory council held its meetings and the Roman Baths, as well as many other columns, monuments and ruins, including the Celsus Library and the Grand Theater of Ephesus. En-route to Kusadasi enjoy the scenery or shopping opportunity.
Ephesus Tour with Denizhan Pekoz

KUSADASI - No:2
HalfDay (4.5 hours) Temple of Artemis + Ephesus + House of Mary
After meeting your guide drive through the fertile lands. Your first stop will be the Temple of Artemis, one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. Afterwards proceed to the mountain where Virgin Mary is believed to spent her 9 years. The house is approximately 1000 feet above sea level and running as an active chapel. Roman Catholics believe that Virgin Mary came to Ephesus with Saint. John 5 years after the crucification. At the age of 63 she is assumed to heaven. Altough there is no fact that Virgin Mary lived here approximately 1.5 million people visit the site each year. After 30 minutes visit to the House of Mary, drive to ancient city of Ephesus. You will be dropped at the upper gate of Ephesus with your tour guide. Start exploring the city. You will be walking down the hill approximately 1.5hrs. You will see the Odeon, the basilica, domitian square, fountain of Trajan, Celcus library, Terrace Houses(optional), Marble street, the Grand Theater of Ephesus and the Harbour Street. You will be endng your tour at the bottom gate. Your driver and tour guide will take you to another site or drop you at the desired location.

For private Ephesus Tour costs, please click here.

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Norwegian Spirit

Ancient City of Ephesus

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Jewish Heritage Sites of Izmir - Jewish Heritage Tours of Izmir

9/30/2018

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We offer private Jewish heritage tours in Izmir which is one of the most populated cities for the Jewish community in Turkey. Our Jewish tours in Izmir are tailor made, which enables us to prepare the itineraries according to the needs and requirements of our guests. Our professional Jewish tour guides are experts on Jewish history in Izmir, so they are able to give our guests wide information about the past and presence Jewish life in Izmir. Izmir is a very rich city with Jewish heritage and have wonderful old and new synagogues. Izmir has a deep history of Jewish presence.

Jewish existance in Izmir dates back to Roman times. Izmir was known as Smyrna those days. According to some historians, once Alexander the Great invaded Jerussalem, he sent some Jews to Smyrna. There was an active synagogue in Izmir in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Today in Sardis which is an hour drive from Izmir, it is possible to see the remains of a Jewish synagogue dating back to 3rd century AD.

After the Roman period, Smyrna had a decline until 16th century. During the Ottoman era, in 1492 Jews who are expelled from Spain were welcomed by the Ottoman Empire and some settled in Smyrna. Smyrna started becoming an exporting port city in 16th century. Attracted many traders including jews to the city.

Majority of the Jews who migrated Smyrna lived in Agora and Havra Sokak districts. They built their living quarters, shops and synagogues there. There were 34 active small synagogues in Izmir. The main reason that there were several synagoues because of the different Jewish communities. Among these communities, there were Sephardic jews coming from Spain, coming from Europe, from Thessoloniki and during 2nd world war Ashkenazi jews coming from Germany. Each group attented to their own synagogue. Many of the synagogues of Izmir were founded next to each other. In 19th century jews started to move to new neigbourhood: Karatas. Founded Beth Israel Synagogue and a hospital in Karatas.

Synagogues in Izmir generaly have distinctive artchitectural style compared with the european versions. Many of them are surrounded with high walls and located by a courtyard. Some of them were influenced by Islamic designs and Greek motifs. Generally have two stories and second storey reserved for women. Facing to east. Earlier ones are centralised which are known as Sephardic. Later ones were inspired by european versions which would resemble a church.

Pictures of Izmir Synagogues:

Today there are 9 active synagogues in Izmir. The biggest one among them is Beit Israel Synagogue in Karatas/Asansor district. Number of Jews in the city of Izmir declined after foundation of Israel. Many jews moved to Israel. Today 1300 jews living in city of Izmir.

Some of the synagogues of Izmir require restorations. Some of them are closed for visits. For security reasons synagogues in Izmir are open to public visit only by prior reservation. For the reservation passport copies are required. Visitors should bring along their passports while visiting synagogues for security checks. All synagogues are closed for visits on Saturdays and during religious holidays. There is an admission fee of US$9 per person to visit the synagogues of Izmir.

We recommend to combine your visit to Izmir synagogues with a visit to the Ancient city of Sardis where you will witness the remains ofa 3rd century AD synagogue.

We operate custom tours to Sardis, synagogues of Izmir and Ephesus. Please do not hesitate to contact us for any questions about the private Jewish heritage tours in Izmir. We would be more than pleased to assist you. Let us make your time in Izmir a memorable one!