The small town of Selçuk is home to the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus.
Only a small portion of Ephesus has been excavated, but those parts that have reveal a thriving port town under Roman rule about 2000 years ago. This is a picture of the "terrace houses," large houses in the center of town that were inhabited by the city's elite. They are still being excavated today.
The Arena.
Most of the structures and foundations are from the era of the Roman empire (some as late as the 7th century), but the city was inhabited well before the rise of Rome. It was also home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, which was destroyed in 401 AD.
Today it is one of the chief archeological (and tourist) sites in Turkey.
The most famous part of Ephesus is the facade of the Library of Celsus, which is two stories of intricately carved marble.
In Selçuk itself, we explored the town on market day in search of fruit and roasted nuts. The women who sell produce sit on the tables along their goods.
Storks are a common sight in town. They like to build their massive nests on top of tall structures, in this case the remains of a Roman aquaduct that runs through the middle of town.
This region of Turkey is home to vast acres of fruit trees. It truly is the fruit basket of the Mediterranean. In the foreground is Isa Bey Mosque, built in 1375.
After the death of Jesus, Saint John and the Virgin Mary emigrated to Selçuk to live out their days. This is the remains of Saint John's Basilica, which was built over his tomb. If it were standing today, it would be the seventh largest cathederal in the world.
Saint John's Basilica sits atop a hill in the center of town along side the Grand Fortress, a citadel which is visible for miles around.
