Ephesus
The main
focus for this region in Roman times was the port city of Ephesus. It became the Empires’ capital of Asia Minor growing
to be a hugely wealthy trading city, as many of the ruins testify. Today, Ephesus stands as a well preserved
classical city albeit awash with tourists.
We started our
walking tour early, heads already spinning with the many myths and legends that
surround this city that once supported a population of 250,000. (That count was male adults apparently, so the
true count was probably triple that figure if you include women, children and
slaves.)
 |
| The Odeon (meeting hall) dates from 150 AD |
Sadly, the Museum with finds from Ephesus (in Seljuk and reputed to be Turkey's best)
was closed but we cheered ourselves up with a fruit wine tasting and a dinner
in nearby Sirince. The village has been
declared an historic preservation area due to its picturesque old stone &
stucco houses and cobbled streets. This
is one town where local dogs give guided walking tours and chickens have right
of way.
 |
| Local colour in Sirince - pomegranates & oranges |
Fact File: The Library
of Celsus was built
in114 AD to house some 12000 scrolls in niches around the walls. It was clearly a place for the learned and
curious to come. The building was not
free-standing however and had been constructed to interconnect with other
buildings in the city. A recently
excavated tunnel just happens to connect the Library to the city brothel. “Just catching up the local news at the
Library, darling…back in an hour or two!
Don’t wait up…
 |
If the Library was busy you could always visit the (gents only)
public toilets. Fountains, musicians, friends....it was clearly the place to be |
No comments:
Post a Comment