Last week, one of my friends who I know him via our student organization ESN was in Izmir to see my great city and culture. We have talked about many things and discover the real differences between Turkish culture and Belgian culture. First thing we realized was Turkish people are proud of being Turkish whereas Belgians doesn’t have any nationalist feelings. As a Turk, I am happy to teach about Turkey’s history and success and traditions. However my friend doesn’t even understand how is feeling patriotism.
My friend is a computer engineer who have studied Physics, Mathematics and Computer Engineering at Ghent University. The department which he graduated is one of the hardest subjects ever and has not got many of students who could reach the chance to be apart of studying it. He is really clever though when I speak to him, I always learn something from the conversation.
I tried to do my best by showing my cute city and Turkish culture as much as I could find time after working within a week. He didn't see many places but he was happy at the end of his staying as he said and I saw that in his eyes. The remain places i will show when he will visit Izmir next time.
On Saturday, we went to Ephesus which is an Ancient Greek city on the west coast of Anatolia, was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC), one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It was destroyed by a mob led by St. John Chrysostom in 401 AD. The emperor Constantine I rebuilt much of the city and erected new public baths. The town was again partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614. The importance of the city as a commercial centre declined as the harbor slowly filled with silt from the river Cayster (Küçük Menderes); (Thanks Wiki).
Ephesus is considered one of the great outdoor museums of Turkey, in fact perhaps of the world. It is located on the south of Izmir's Selcuk county. The links of Ephesus with the Amazons and the myths had survived throughout history. Ephesus which was established as a port, was used to be the most important commercial centre. It played a great role in the ancient times with its strategic location. Ephesus is located on a very fertile valley.
For the Christians, the city, with its highly advanced way of life, its high standard of living, the variety of its demographic composition and its firmly rooted polytheistic culture, must have presented itself as an ideal pilot region... From written sources we learn that St Paul remained in the city for three years from 65 to 68, and that it was here that he preached his famous sermons calling upon the hearers to embrace the faith in. one God. He taught that God had no need of a house made with human hands and that he was present in all places at all times.
Ephesus Theatre
(The Ephesus Theatre and Harbour Street)
The theatre built on the slopes of Mount Panayir was constructed during the reign of Lysimachos and later it was altered many times. Like all the other ancient theatres, the theatre consisted of three main section. At an estimated 44,000 seating capacity, it is believed to be the largest outdoor theater in the ancient world.
Harbour street is 500 meters long and 11 metes wide. On both side of the street there were covered particos. These particos, which were reserved for pedestrians, had the function of protecting them from the bad weather and hosted shops in the inner part.
The Roman Celsus Library
(The Celsus Library and Augustus Gates)
The building is made of very good marble and decorated with figures of Eros, Nike, rosettes and garlands in relief. The building reflects the characteristics of the age of Emperor Hadrian.Its façade has been carefully reconstructed from all original pieces. It was built ca. AD 125 by Gaius Julius Aquila in memory of his father, and once held nearly 12,000 scrolls. Designed with an exaggerated entrance — so as to enhance its perceived size, speculate many historians — the building faces east so that the reading rooms could make best use of the morning light.
Latriana
The latrina built in the first century A.D. are the public toilets of Ephesus. The toilets were ranged side by side with no partition between them. In the middle was a square pool. The floor was paved with mosaics.
Temple of Hadrian
This is the one of the most attractive edifices on the Curetes Street, and it must have been built at the latest by the year 138. The temple is consist of a monumental pronaos and a small, bare cella (photo, on the right ).
(The Temple of Hadrian)
(The Gate of Hercules)
Marble Street
(Marble Street)
This street, which practically constitutes the entrance to the theatre for anyone coming from the Library of Celsus, goes along the western slopes of Mount Panayir, in a zone of considerable architectural interest.
I enjoyed the day too much and added it to my memory list. I like to learn about history more. When my friend explain the history I was curious and willing to know as much as he knows. That requires quite too much efforts but if I really want I can do something for it.
I am a lucky person who has this wonder in my homecity and very short distance away from my family house. Therefore, I can take my friends to go and show that gorgeous antique place when they come to visit me.
If you know Turkish or curious about more photos you can scroll down and see more about "Ephesus" or we call in Turkish "Efes".
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