Ephesus Travel Guide
  • Ephesus Travel Guide
    • Temple of Artemis
    • House of Virgin Mary
    • Basilica of St. John
    • Terrace Houses
    • Sirince Village
    • Isa Bey Mosque
    • Grotto of Seven Sleepers
    • Archaeological Museum
    • Questions about Ephesus >
      • How and when to go? Where to Stay? >
        • Hotels near Ephesus
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    • Ephesus Pictures
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        • Private Tours for Oceania Cruises Passengers
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        • Private Tours for NCL Passengers
        • Private Tours for Windstar Cruises Passengers
        • Private Tours for Holland America Line Passengers
        • Private Ephesus Tours for Silversea Passengers
        • Private Ephesus Tours for Star Flyer Passengers
      • Private Ephesus Tours from Kusadasi Setur Marina
      • Private Ephesus Tours from Guzelcamli Hotels
    • Private Ephesus Tours from Izmir >
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    • Ephesus Tour Guide Only
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      • Cave of St. Paul in Ephesus
    • Ephesus Private Tour Rates >
      • Dates for Discounted Private Ephesus Tours
      • Ephesus Tour Guides
      • Private Tour and Transfer Vehicles
      • 2021 Entrance fees for Ephesus and surroundings
    • Excursiones Privadas a Efeso >
      • Tour privado sugerido de una semana de Turquía
      • Excursión a Éfeso para cruceros desde el Puerto de Kusadasi >
        • Excursiones privadas de Efeso para pasajeros de la Linea Holland America
        • Excursiones Privadas de Efeso para pasajeros de Cruceros Royal Caribbean
        • Giras Privadas a Efeso para pasajeros de Celebrity Cruceros
      • Qué hacer en Kusadasi
      • Excursiones privadas de hoteles de Selcuk
      • Solo Guia Turistico Servicios
      • Excursiones Privadas de Efeso para pasajeros de cruceros MSC
      • Tour privado de Pamukkale desde Kusadasi
      • Especial Tour de Éfeso: El Desayuno tradicional turco y Efeso
    • Excursoes privadas de Efeso >
      • Excursões privadas de Éfeso para os passageiros de Norwegian Jade
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        • Частные Эфес туры для Royal Caribbean пассажиров
        • Частные Эфес туры для норвежских пассажиl
        • Индивидуальные туры Эфес для Holland America Пассажир
        • Частные Эфес туры для Celebrity Cruises пассажиры
      • Частный тур в Памуккале от Кушадасы
      • Частные Эфес туры от аэропорта Измира
      • Частные Эфес туры для круизных пассажироk
      • Эфес Экскурсия на Эфес Экскурсовод
      • Частные Эфес туры для круизных пассажироk
    • Private Exkursionen von Ephesos >
      • Ephesos mit dem Tempel der Artemis ab Kusadasi Hafen
      • Ganztägige Tour Ephesos für Deutsch sprechende Gäste
      • Private Ausflüge von Ephesos für Mein Schiff 2 Passagieren
    • Escursioni private di Efeso e la Casa di Maria
  • Ephesus History
    • Magnesia Gate
    • State Agora, Basilica, Odeon, Prythaneion
    • Memnius Monument & Domitian Temple >
      • Caduceus or Rod of Asclepius ?
    • Hercules Gate, Trajan Fountain, Hadrian Temple
    • Public Baths, Latrines
    • Ephesus Celsus Library
    • Agora, Marble Street
    • Ephesus Theater, Church of Mary
  • Contact Us
    • Private Tour Enquiry Form
  • Denizhan`s Blog
  • Western Turkey Tours
    • 2 Days Ephesus Pamukkale Tour
    • 2 Days Western Turkey Tour
    • 3 Days Western Turkey Tour
    • 3 Days Biblical Tour of Western Turkey
    • 1 Week Private Tour of Turkey
    • Istanbul Walking Tours
  • Private Transfers around Ephesus
    • Kusadasi Izmir Airport Transfers
    • Kusadasi Pamukkale Transfer
    • Kusadasi Bodrum Transfer
  • Private Pamukkale Tours
    • Private Pamukkale Tours ending at Denizli Cardak Airport
    • Pamukkale Tour from Kusadasi
    • Kusadasi to Pamukkale Transfer
    • Plutonium (Gate to Hell) in Hierapolis (Pamukkale)
  • Private Laodicea Tours
  • Private Aphrodisias Tours
  • Private Pergamon Tours
    • Pergamon Re-created
  • Private Sardis Tours
  • Private Priene Tours

The Great Theater of Ephesus

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Great Theater of Ephesus
The Great Theatre was constructed in the Hellenistic period but remodelled many times in the Roman period. The main diffrence between a Hellenistic Theater and a Roman Theater is that the Hellenistic ones are leaning on a hill. It is the Romans who invented free standing huge walls. It took 60 years to complete. It is the largest theater in  the Asia Minor with accomodation for 25.000 people; 24.000 seats and 1000 standing places. It was originally two-storied and was heightened by one storey at a later date. Served not only for dramatic performances, but also for demonstations of a social, political, economic, religious nature and for gladiator games. 

Theater name is derived from the Greek word "Theatron" which means" the place to observe". The half circle shaped section was called "orchestra". Performances were held on the stage building called "Skene". Skenes were 2 storeys in Hellenistic period and 3 storeys during Roman peroid. The reason having them 3 storey building is to let the spectators focus to the plays. Sitting section is called cavea. The round access sections are called 'Diazoma".All performances were during the day. Usually there was an admission for entrance. Tickets small coins showing where the spectators will seat. Mid. 1st century some gladiator games were performed in this theater. 

This theater is also mentioned in the New Testament Acts Chapter 19. A riot started against Paul in 56 AD. The riot started by a silversmith by the name of Demetrius provoked his fellow-craftsmen to a public out cry against Paul, with the cry "Great is Artemis of Ephesians". He did it because he thought this new religion could ruin their businesses. They  made their living by selling statues of Artemis to pilgrims visiting there from  far and wide. A major riot started against Paul. Paul tried to enter the theater  but his companions did not let him do. He was sacked from the city of Ephesus.  Few months later he was in the city of Miletus and asked the elders of Ephesus  to join him there after making a farewell speech. He went back to Jerrussalem  where he got arrested. He claimed to be judged by the Roman Emperor since he was a Roman citizen. On the way to Rome his ship was wrecked in Malta. Before he got  executed in Rome he wrote the letter to Ephesians and the 2 letters to Timothy  who was one of the companions of Paul in Ephesus.

Still concerts take place in Ephesus. In the modern era Elton John, Mikis Theodorakis, John Baes, Ray Charles, Sting, Diana Ross and many more made concerts in Ephesus.


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The Grand Theater of Ephesus and the Harbour Avenue
  • Magnesia Gate
  • East Gymnasium
  • State Agora
  • Basilica, Odeion
  • Prythaneion
  • Memmius Monument
  • Domitian Temple
  • Hercules Gate
  • Curetes Street
  • Hadrian Temple
  • Scholastica Baths
  • Latrines 
  • Celcus Library
  • The Brothel
  • Commercial Agora
  • Marble Road 
  • Theater 
  • Harbour Street
  • Church of Mary 
  • Ephesus in Bible
  • House of Virgin Mary
  • Temple of Artemis
  • Basilica of St. John
  • Ephesus Museum
  • Terrace Houses
  • Sirimce Village
  • Isa Bey Mosque
  • Grotto of 7 sleepers

  • Private Ephesus Tours from Kusadasi
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  • Ephesus Private Tour Rates
  • Questions About Ephesus and Tours
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  • Contact Us
Picture
Ephesus Theater - Aerial View

Harbour Street

Picture
Horbour Street of Ephesus
Harbour Street, also known as Arcadiane, was a great collonnaded avenue which was renovated at the beginning of the 5the century AD in honor of Emperor Arcadius. It was  half a mile long and 36 ft wide leading from the harbour to the theater. It was paved in marble and had shops behind the colonnades. The two pedestrian
walks in  the colonnades were 16 ft wide and paved with mosaics. At night the Arcadiane was lit by torches, making Ephesus, along with Rome and Antioch, one of the three ancient cities known to have had street lighting. Somewhere in the middle of the avenue stood a monument of four Corinthian columns probably erected in  the 6th century AD which supported the statues of the four gospel writers. Whoever came  with ships had to walk on the Harbour Street to enter Ephesus. The street housed  many important names like Cleopatra, Mark Anthony, Augustus, St. Paul, John the  Apostle and possibly Virgin Mary.

Harbour Gymnasium was one of  the 4 gymnasiums of the city. Probably the largest one since it is called "The  Great Gymnasium" by the Ephesians. According to some historians, boat passengers  and crew were first required to bath in these Harbour baths before proceeding to  the Arcadian way to enter the city. These baths also functioned as a quarantine  for disembarking boat passengers.

Church of Mary

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Church of Mary in Ephesus
It is the first church named after Virgin Mary which was ordered by Emperor Constantin. Before it was converted to a church,  the building was used to stock wheat. The third ecumenical council in 431AD was held here. The councils aim was to put an end to the controversies concerning the divinity of Christ and the sanctity of the Holy Virgin. Council ruled that God was one being, though two natures the Father and the Son, and that the Virgin Mary was truly the mother of Christ (Theotokos - god bearer). In the 7th century church fell into ruin. Byzantines raised a new church on very same site,  For this reason the basilica has been named as "The Double Church"

In the early times of Christianity, churches were dedicated to the people who lived and died in the same province. Since this was the first church dedicated to Virgin Mary. It makes people think in regards of  the possibilities of Virgin Mary living in Ephesus. An inscription dating back  to third ecumenical council was also found saying thet "we are writing from the house where our mother Mary lived and died.

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Photo used under Creative Commons from archer10 (Dennis)
  • Ephesus Travel Guide
    • Temple of Artemis
    • House of Virgin Mary
    • Basilica of St. John
    • Terrace Houses
    • Sirince Village
    • Isa Bey Mosque
    • Grotto of Seven Sleepers
    • Archaeological Museum
    • Questions about Ephesus >
      • How and when to go? Where to Stay? >
        • Hotels near Ephesus
        • Izmir Airport - Selcuk Town Train Schedules
    • Other places to visit near Ephesus >
      • Shopping in Kusadasi and Ephesus
    • Ephesus Pictures
  • Private Ephesus Tours
    • Private Ephesus Tours from Kusadasi >
      • Private Ephesus Tours from Kusadasi Cruise Port >
        • Private Tours for Oceania Cruises Passengers
        • Private Tours for Marella Cruises Passengers
        • Private Tours for Azamara Cruises Passengers
        • Private Ephesus Tours for Regent Passengers
        • Private Tours for NCL Passengers
        • Private Tours for Windstar Cruises Passengers
        • Private Tours for Holland America Line Passengers
        • Private Ephesus Tours for Silversea Passengers
        • Private Ephesus Tours for Star Flyer Passengers
      • Private Ephesus Tours from Kusadasi Setur Marina
      • Private Ephesus Tours from Guzelcamli Hotels
    • Private Ephesus Tours from Izmir >
      • Private Ephesus Tours from Izmir Airport
      • Private Ephesus Tours from Alacati and Cesme
      • Private Ephesus Tours from Izmir Cruise Port >
        • Private Ephesus Tours for MSC Cruise Passengers
        • Private Ephesus Tours for Costa Cruises Passengers
    • Private Ephesus Tours from Selcuk >
      • Private Ephesus Tours from Sirince Hotels
    • Ephesus Tour Guide Only
    • Ephesus in the Bible - Private Biblical Ephesus Tours >
      • Private Biblical Tours of Ephesus with Expert Local Tour Guides
      • Private Christian Heritage Tours of Ephesus
      • Cave of St. Paul in Ephesus
    • Ephesus Private Tour Rates >
      • Dates for Discounted Private Ephesus Tours
      • Ephesus Tour Guides
      • Private Tour and Transfer Vehicles
      • 2021 Entrance fees for Ephesus and surroundings
    • Excursiones Privadas a Efeso >
      • Tour privado sugerido de una semana de Turquía
      • Excursión a Éfeso para cruceros desde el Puerto de Kusadasi >
        • Excursiones privadas de Efeso para pasajeros de la Linea Holland America
        • Excursiones Privadas de Efeso para pasajeros de Cruceros Royal Caribbean
        • Giras Privadas a Efeso para pasajeros de Celebrity Cruceros
      • Qué hacer en Kusadasi
      • Excursiones privadas de hoteles de Selcuk
      • Solo Guia Turistico Servicios
      • Excursiones Privadas de Efeso para pasajeros de cruceros MSC
      • Tour privado de Pamukkale desde Kusadasi
      • Especial Tour de Éfeso: El Desayuno tradicional turco y Efeso
    • Excursoes privadas de Efeso >
      • Excursões privadas de Éfeso para os passageiros de Norwegian Jade
    • Частные Эфес туры >
      • Частный Эфес Экскурсии из порта Кушадасы >
        • Частные Эфес туры для Royal Caribbean пассажиров
        • Частные Эфес туры для норвежских пассажиl
        • Индивидуальные туры Эфес для Holland America Пассажир
        • Частные Эфес туры для Celebrity Cruises пассажиры
      • Частный тур в Памуккале от Кушадасы
      • Частные Эфес туры от аэропорта Измира
      • Частные Эфес туры для круизных пассажироk
      • Эфес Экскурсия на Эфес Экскурсовод
      • Частные Эфес туры для круизных пассажироk
    • Private Exkursionen von Ephesos >
      • Ephesos mit dem Tempel der Artemis ab Kusadasi Hafen
      • Ganztägige Tour Ephesos für Deutsch sprechende Gäste
      • Private Ausflüge von Ephesos für Mein Schiff 2 Passagieren
    • Escursioni private di Efeso e la Casa di Maria
  • Ephesus History
    • Magnesia Gate
    • State Agora, Basilica, Odeon, Prythaneion
    • Memnius Monument & Domitian Temple >
      • Caduceus or Rod of Asclepius ?
    • Hercules Gate, Trajan Fountain, Hadrian Temple
    • Public Baths, Latrines
    • Ephesus Celsus Library
    • Agora, Marble Street
    • Ephesus Theater, Church of Mary
  • Contact Us
    • Private Tour Enquiry Form
  • Denizhan`s Blog
  • Western Turkey Tours
    • 2 Days Ephesus Pamukkale Tour
    • 2 Days Western Turkey Tour
    • 3 Days Western Turkey Tour
    • 3 Days Biblical Tour of Western Turkey
    • 1 Week Private Tour of Turkey
    • Istanbul Walking Tours
  • Private Transfers around Ephesus
    • Kusadasi Izmir Airport Transfers
    • Kusadasi Pamukkale Transfer
    • Kusadasi Bodrum Transfer
  • Private Pamukkale Tours
    • Private Pamukkale Tours ending at Denizli Cardak Airport
    • Pamukkale Tour from Kusadasi
    • Kusadasi to Pamukkale Transfer
    • Plutonium (Gate to Hell) in Hierapolis (Pamukkale)
  • Private Laodicea Tours
  • Private Aphrodisias Tours
  • Private Pergamon Tours
    • Pergamon Re-created
  • Private Sardis Tours
  • Private Priene Tours