Ephesus: The Ancient Marvel of Turkiye

• HelloMerhaba
  [Mer-ha-ba]
• GoodbyeHoşça kal
  [Hosh-cha kal]
• YesEvet
  [Eh-vet]
• NoHayır
  [Ha-yuhr]
• Please/You're welcomeLütfen
  [Loot-fen]
• Thank youTeşekkür ederim
  [Te-shek-kur ed-er-im]
• Excuse me/SorryAffedersiniz
  [Af-fed-er-sin-iz]
• How are you?Nasılsınız?
  [Nas-uhl-suh-nuhz]
• Fine. And you?İyiyim. Ya siz?
  [Ee-yee-yim. Ya siz?]
• Do you speak English?İngilizce konuşuyor musunuz?
  [Ing-ee-leez-je ko-noo-shu-yor mus-oo-nooz]
• I don't understandAnlamıyorum
  [Ahn-la-muh-yor-um]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseMenüyü görmek istiyorum, lütfen
  [Men-oo-yu ger-mek is-tee-yor-um, loot-fen]
• I don't eat meatEt yemem
  [Et ye-mem]
• Cheers!Şerefe!
  [She-re-fe]
• I would like to pay, pleaseÖdemek istiyorum, lütfen
  [Er-de-mek is-tee-yor-um, loot-fen]

• Help!Yardım!
  [Yar-duhm]
• Go away!Uzaklaş!
  [Oo-zahk-lash]
• Call the Police!Polisi arayın!
  [Po-lee-see a-rah-yun]
• Call a doctor!Doktor çağırın!
  [Dok-tor cha-ee-run]
• I'm lostKayboldum
  [Kai-bol-dum]
• I'm illHastayım
  [Has-tai-yum]

• I'd like to buy...Satın almak istiyorum...
  [Sat-un al-mak is-tee-yor-um]
• I'm just lookingSadece bakıyorum
  [Sah-deh-je bah-ku-yor-um]
• How much is it?Kaç lira?
  [Katch lee-ra]
• That's too expensiveBu çok pahalı
  [Boo choak pah-ha-luh]
• Can you lower the price?Fiyatı indirebilir misiniz?
  [Fee-yat-uh in-deh-re-bee-leer mees-ee-neez]

• What time is it?Saat kaç?
  [Saat katch]
• It's one o'clockSaat bir
  [Saat beer]
• Half past (10)On buçuk
  [On boo-chook]
• MorningSabah
  [Sah-bah]
• AfternoonÖğleden sonra
  [Er-ler-den ah-sor-ah]
• EveningAkşam
  [Ahk-sham]
• YesterdayDün
  [Doon]
• TodayBugün
  [Boo-goon]
• TomorrowYarın
  [Yai-run]
• 1Bir
  [Beer]
• 2İki
  [Ee-kee]
• 3Üç
  [Ooch]
• 4Dört
  [Dohrt]
• 5Beş
  [Besh]
• 6Altı
  [Ahl-tuh]
• 7Yedi
  [Yeh-dee]
• 8Sekiz
  [Seh-keez]
• 9Dokuz
  [Doh-kooz]
• 10On
  [On]

• Where's a/the...?...nerede?
  [Neh-reh-deh]
• What's the address?Adresi ne?
  [Ad-reh-see neh]
• Can you show me (on the map)?(Haritada) gösterebilir misiniz?
  [(Ha-ree-ta-da) ger-ste-re-bee-leer mees-ee-neez]
• When's the next (bus)?Sonraki (otobüs) ne zaman?
  [Son-rah-kee (o-to-booos) neh zah-man]
• A ticket (to ....)Bir bilet (....'a)
  [Beer bee-let (....'a)]

Ephesus, located in modern-day Turkey, is one of the most important ancient cities in the Mediterranean. It was founded in the 10th century BC by Greek colonists from Athens. The city's strategic location near the Aegean Sea made it a vital hub for trade and culture.

The Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was constructed in Ephesus around 550 BC. This grand temple was dedicated to Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, and was a major pilgrimage site. It was rebuilt several times after being destroyed by floods and arson.

During the Hellenistic period, Ephesus came under the control of various rulers, including Lysimachus, one of Alexander the Great’s generals. Lysimachus rebuilt the city in 290 BC, moving it to its current location and fortifying it with sturdy walls.

Ephesus reached its zenith under Roman rule, becoming the provincial capital of Asia Minor. The city was adorned with magnificent structures like the Library of Celsus, the Grand Theater, and the Temple of Hadrian. It was a bustling metropolis with a population of around 250,000 at its peak.

Constructed in 117 AD, the Library of Celsus was a monumental building that housed thousands of scrolls. It was built in honor of the Roman Senator Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus. The façade of the library is a prime example of Roman architecture and continues to amaze visitors today.

Ephesus holds significant importance in early Christian history. The city is mentioned in the New Testament's Book of Revelation as one of the Seven Churches of Asia. The Apostle Paul lived and preached in Ephesus, and it is believed that the Virgin Mary spent her final years nearby.

Ephesus began to decline in the late Byzantine period due to the silting up of its harbor, which cut off trade routes. A series of earthquakes and invasions further contributed to its downfall. By the 15th century, Ephesus was largely abandoned.

The ruins of Ephesus were rediscovered in the 19th century, sparking extensive archaeological excavations. These efforts have unearthed a wealth of artifacts and structures, providing invaluable insights into ancient urban life and culture.

Ephesus is located near the modern town of Selçuk in the İzmir Province of Turkey. The nearest airport is İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport, approximately 60 kilometers away. From the airport, you can take a shuttle bus or a taxi to Selçuk. Alternatively, you can take a train from İzmir to Selçuk, which runs several times a day and takes about an hour and a half. Buses also operate between major cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, and Selçuk.

Once in Selçuk, getting to Ephesus is straightforward. You can take a local minibus (dolmuş) or a taxi, both of which are affordable and convenient. For those who prefer walking, Ephesus is about 3 kilometers from the center of Selçuk. Bicycles can also be rented for a more leisurely trip. Within Ephesus, the main attractions are best explored on foot due to the archaeological site's layout.

The official currency in Turkey is the Turkish Lira (TRY). Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops in Selçuk and at the Ephesus site. However, it is advisable to carry some cash for small purchases and in case of emergencies. ATMs are available in Selçuk, and currency exchange services can be found at the airport and in major towns.

Ephesus and Selçuk are generally safe for tourists. However, as with any tourist destination, it is important to stay vigilant. Avoid isolated areas after dark and be cautious with your belongings in crowded places. While there are no specific high-crime areas targeting tourists, pickpocketing can occur, especially during busy periods. Always use reputable transportation services and avoid unofficial guides.

In case of emergency, dial 112 for immediate assistance. The local police station and medical facilities are available in Selçuk. It is advisable to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. Pharmacies are available in Selçuk for minor health issues and over-the-counter medications.

Fashion: Do dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. Avoid wearing revealing clothing. Religion: Do respect local customs and traditions. Always be respectful when visiting mosques or religious sites. Public Transport: Do be respectful and give up your seat to elderly passengers. Don’t eat or drink on public transport. Greetings: Do greet people with a handshake or a slight nod. A friendly 'Merhaba' (Hello) is often appreciated. Eating & Drinking: Do try local delicacies and accept food offerings graciously. Don’t refuse hospitality, as it is considered impolite.

To experience Ephesus like a local, visit the local markets in Selçuk where you can buy fresh produce and traditional Turkish goods. Engage with locals, who are often friendly and willing to share stories about the town's history and culture. Don't miss visiting the nearby Şirince village, known for its wine and beautiful architecture. For a unique experience, attend a traditional Turkish bath (hamam) in Selçuk.