Ephesus Information

Ephesus was an ancient Greek city, belonging to the Ionian League and later taken by the Romans. During part of that imperial period the city had a population of more than 250 thousand inhabitants, as well as a considerable cultural and socio-economic development, which made it one of the most important in the entire Mediterranean world.

The city is famous for the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and in general for its architecture, as the Great Theater, among those of greater capacity and grandeur of antiquity.

The foundation of Ephesus is associated with several legends and interpretations of historical and literary passages but what is known with certainty is that once created it had four different locations: from the Hill of Ayasuluk, to the northern slope of Mount Pion, then between part of this mountain and the Coressus to finally return to the hill of its first settlement.

There are biblical passages that allude to Ephesus, such as that in Acts 19-20, about the ministry of the Apostle Paul in that city. It is believed that Paul spent two and a half years in Ephesus, during his third missionary journey, until he was forced to leave the city because of a revolt, which some claim ended in his imprisonment. From his preaching and indoctrination, as well as from the invasions of the Goths that took place in the region, the faith in Christ and the veneration of the Blessed Virgin, his mother, who lived through his last years, became very important among the Ephesians. near there, in a House that today can be visited.

Ephesus was also one of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse, which received one of the letters written by the Apostle John. It is said that the apostle John took the Virgin Mary to Ephesus after the death of Jesus and was with her until he was captured and killed, on the orders of Emperor Trajan. In his honor, the Ephesians built a small church on the hill of Ayasuluk, which in the sixth century was replaced by a basilica, whose colossal ruins are now appreciable.

For more detailed information, history, routes, excursions and organized trips to Ephesus, visit our website: http://www.excursionefeso.es