Turkiye
Ephesus
Ephesus contains successive settlements from the Neolithic, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Selçuk and Ottoman periods.
The site started out as a sanctuary for Artemis, here worshipped as the mother goddess. Its main surviving monuments date from the Hellenistic and Roman Imperial periods, with religious and public buildings decorated with wall paintings, mosaics and marble panelling. The area also includes Cukurici Mound (a Neolithic settlement) and the Christian pilgrimage sites of the Church of Mary and the Basilica of St. John.
Community Perspective: Focus on the main site, with the restored façade of the Library of Celsus, the large theater and the wall paintings and mosaics of Terrace House 2. The Christian sites are “interesting but far from breathtaking”.
Site Info
Official Information
- Full Name
- Ephesus (ID: 1018)
- Country
- Turkiye
- Status
-
Inscribed 2015
Site history
History of Ephesus
- 2015: Inscribed
- Inscribed
- WHS Type
- Cultural
- Criteria
- iii
- iv
- vi
Links
- UNESCO
- whc.unesco.org
All Links
UNESCO.org
- whc.unesco.org — whc.unesco.org/
Related Resources
- muze.gov.tr — Efes
News Article
- May 7, 2024 dailysabah.com — Ephesus now opens at night as well
- Sept. 5, 2016 hurriyetdailynews.com — Ephesus excavations by Austria canceled
- Aug. 29, 2015 pasthorizonspr.com — Archaeozoologists open bone lab at Ephesus
Community Information
- Community Category
- Archaeological site: Ancient Greece
- Secular structure: Military and Fortifications
Travel Information
One million visitors or more
High entrance fees
Izmir Hotspot
Recent Connections
-
Perfect Inscriptions
2015 -
Izmir Hotspot
Izmir - Selcuk dolmus (1.5h travel time… -
High entrance fees
40 EUR as a minimum (also for children)…
Connections of Ephesus
- Individual People
-
-
Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great visited in 323 BCE. The city of Ephesus in its current location was founded by Lysimachos, one of Alexander’s twelve generals (AB ev) -
Ibn Battuta
"We went on to the city of Aya Suluq [Selçuk/Ephesus], a large and ancient city venerated by the Greeks, in which there is a great church [Church of Mary] built with huge stones, each measuring ten or less cubits in length and skilfully hewn."
-
- Geography
-
-
Aegean Sea
The old harbour was slowly silted up by the river and now lies inland; the street between the theatre and the harbour is also in core zone -
Estuary
"Located within what was once the estuary of the River Kaystros, Ephesus comprises successive Hellenistic and Roman settlements founded on new locations, which followed the coastline as it retreated westward." (Official description)
-
- Trivia
-
-
On beer cans and bottles
EfesSee nl.wikipedia.org
-
One million visitors or more
a record number of visitors in 2024, a total of 2.7 million / 2.2 million (2023) -
In the British museum
Croesus' signature has been found on the base of one of the columns of the temple (now on display in the British Museum) (wiki) -
On Banknotes
On backside of the 20 new lira banknote (2005–2008)See en.wikipedia.org
-
Modern Board Games
7 Wonders (2010) and expansions -
In Video Games
Civilization VI: Temple of Artemis
-
- History
-
-
Byzantine Empire and Civilization
The extensive remains of the Basilica of St. John on Ayasuluk Hill and those of the Church of Mary in Ephesus are testament of the city’s importance to Christianity. (OUV) & Justinian also built a number of churches and fortifications outside of the imperial capital, including .. the Basilica of St. John in Ephesus (wiki)See en.wikipedia.org
-
Neolithic age
The Neolithic settlement of Cukurici Mound marking the southern edge of the former estuary is now well inland (OUV) -
Hellenistic Greece
Ephesus is an exceptional testimony to the cultural traditions of the Hellenistic, Roman Imperial and early Christian periods (OUV) -
Ancient Greek colonies
-
Ancient Roman colonies
-
- World Heritage Process
-
-
Perfect Inscriptions
2015
-
- Religion and Belief
-
-
Female Christian Mystics
Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774-1824, Beatified in 2004). Has been credited (controversially) with identifying the Site of the House of Virgin Mary when recounting her “visions”.. She “had never been to Ephesus, and indeed the city had not yet been excavated; but visions contained in The Life of The Blessed Virgin Mary were used during the discovery of the House of the Virgin Mary, the Blessed Virgin's supposed home before her Assumption, located on a hill near Ephesus, as described in the book “Mary's House”. In 1881 a French priest, the Abbé Julien Gouyet, used Emmerich's book to search for the house in Ephesus and found it based on the descriptions.” This location is included as location 4 within the Ephesus inscription although it is 7kms away. In the AB evaluation ICOMOS stated that “The House of Virgin Mary continues as a pilgrimage site, but the degree of authenticity is unclear. and wanted it excluded together with Crit vi. Neither happened!See en.wikipedia.org
-
St Paul was here
St Paul visited Ephesus on both his 2nd and 3rd mission - staying over 2 years on the latter occasion. His preaching stimulated the "Silversmith's Riot". See link. And Nomination File "In a quickly arranged assembly in the large theater of Ephesus the disputes became tumultuous. Supposedly the people chanted “Great is the Artemis of Ephesus” for two hours until the municipal scribe was able to calm the situation" -
Serapea
"Another Temple of Serapis is in Ephesus .... The temple is located behind the Library of Celsus. The Egyptian temple was turned into a Christian church." (Wiki) -
12 Apostles
Basilica of St John "stands over the believed burial site of John the Apostle" -
Tombs of Biblical Figures
Basilica of St John "stands over the believed burial site of John the Apostle" (Wiki). SeeSee en.wikipedia.org
-
Mentioned in the Bible
Ephesus was one of the seven churches of Asia that are cited in the Book of Revelation (wiki) -
Cult of Cybele
Historical accounts and archaeological remains of significant traditional and religious Anatolian cultures beginning with the cult of Cybele/Meter until the modern revival of Christianity are visible and traceable in Ephesus,... Two important Councils of the early Church were held at Ephesus…, initiating the veneration of Mary in Christianity, which can be seen as a reflection of the earlier veneration of Artemis and the Anatolian Cybele. (OUV Crit IV)
-
- Human Activity
-
-
Historical Graffiti
Ancient Roman inscription, presumably directions to a nearby brothel -
Sea Ports
"Now located several kilometres inland from the Aegean coast of Turkey, Ephesus was a thriving harbour city in the Roman period," (AB eval) -
Petrosomatoglyphs
Foot carving in the Marble Road, which shows the way to the brothel. -
Amber
Many amber 'totems' found at Artemis Temple, "possibly traded by Phoenicians from Lebanon, .., or from Sicily" (Hughes, The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, p. 116)
-
- Constructions
-
-
Theatres and Opera Houses
The Odeon was a small roofed theater (wiki) -
Latrines
-
Macellum
See no. 100 on this City Map -
Bouleuterion
The "Odeon" doubled as the "Bouleuterion"See www.ephesus.us
-
- WHS on Other Lists
-
-
World Monuments Watch (past)
Ephesos Archaeological Site (2004) -
Part of Our Top 50 Missing
-
Seven Wonders of the World
Temple of Artemis: "Little remains of the famous Temple of Artemis, one of the ‘seven wonders of the world’ which drew pilgrims from all around the Mediterranean until it was eclipsed by Christian pilgrimage” (OUV statement)
-
- Timeline
-
-
Built in the 10th century BC
temple to Artemis, which cult can be traced back to the early first millennium BCE. Excavated finds indicate that the first Greek colonisers arrived c 1000 BCE (AB ev)
-
- WHS Hotspots
-
-
Izmir Hotspot
Izmir - Selcuk dolmus (1.5h travel time (one way), first dolmus at 7am. See link for timetable
-
- Science and Technology
-
-
Libraries
Library of CelsusSee en.wikipedia.org
-
- Visiting conditions
-
-
High entrance fees
40 EUR as a minimum (also for children), plus 12 EUR more for the combi ticket that includes the Terrace Houses (2025)
-
- WHS Names
News
- dailysabah.com 05/07/2024
- Ephesus now opens at night as well
- hurriyetdailynews.com 09/05/2016
- Ephesus excavations by Austria can…
- pasthorizonspr.com 08/29/2015
- Archaeozoologists open bone lab at…
Recent Visitors
Visitors of Ephesus
- 4lex
- Adolfo
- Adrian Turtschi
- Afshin Iranpour
- AGuzzo
- ailsa
- aj.daamen
- Alberto Rodriguez Gutierrez
- Alexander Barabanov
- Alexander Lehmann
- Alexander Parsons
- alexandrcfif
- Alfons and Riki Verstraeten
- alicemears
- Alikander99
- Ali Zingstra
- A. Mehmet Haksever
- Ammon Watkins
- AmyAbroad
- Ana Lozano
- Andrea Gormley
- Andrew_Kerr
- andyng-site
- Angel Ying Liu
- Anne
- Argo
- Artsybrea
- Artur Anuszewski
- Aspasia
- AT8
- Atila Ege
- Aurora Petan
- AYB
- baiqitun
- Balu93
- Bauchat
- beckyjo27
- bergecn
- BH
- Bill Maurmann
- Bin
- Bossc
- Bruno_Pires
- butterflybird
- byronb
- CampbellME
- Can SARICA
- Carlo Medina
- Carlo Sarion
- CeeCeeSR
- CeeMon
- Chalamphol Therakul
- ChenMing
- Cheryl
- Chinmaya
- Chris Law
- Christian Wagner
- Christravelblog
- Chunsian01
- Cirene Moraes
- ClaireWhiteley
- Clyde
- Corinne Vail
- Craig Harder
- Csaba Nováczky
- CugelVance
- czesioszpachelka
- Dagmara
- Dani Cyr
- Danny L
- Dan Pettigrew
- David Berlanda
- Dennis Nicklaus
- Digits
- Dimitar Krastev
- Djpatten
- dmscanlan
- Don Irwin
- DouglasR
- Drk9Stormy
- dsch2oman@me.com
- Eanna81
- Echwel
- Einziger
- Eirini
- Elaine McArdle
- Elf21
- Elia Vettorato
- Elisabeth Fransisca Situmorang
- eljx1988
- Ellen Nielsen
- Els Slots
- Emili Xaus
- Eric Lurio
- Eric PK
- Erik Jelinek
- Ertai
- Eva Kisgyorgy
- Fan Yibo
- Farinelli
- fedemarch92
- Felicité
- ferhatdonmez
- Fernweh
- finsbury_jo
- Fmaiolo@yahoo.com
- Francky D'Hoop
- Frank Britton
- Frédéric M
- FS
- Garrett
- Geert Luiken
- George Gdanski
- GerhardM
- Gernot
- ge zhang
- Giannis75
- Gilles
- GithaK
- giulio25
- Gjert
- Glenn Nightingale
- Gordon Mitchell
- Grzegorz Andruszkiewicz
- GZ
- Hadrianus
- Haining Guan
- Hammeel
- HaraldOest
- Harald T.
- Harry Mitsidis
- Hasco
- H Beswick
- Hdhuntphotography
- Hdwilsonau
- henryjiao18
- Hubert
- Hughes1920
- Iain Jackson
- IreneKD
- Ivan Rucek
- ivantham
- Izzet Ege
- janameerman
- janem
- Jan Korpeg
- Janos
- Jan-Willem
- Jarek Pokrzywnicki
- Javier
- Javier Coro
- Jawnbeary
- Jay T
- Jeankedezeehond
- Jeanne OGrady
- Jeffrey Chai Ran
- Jens
- J_neveryes
- JoeriNortier
- John Smaranda
- jonathanfr
- Jon Opol
- Jonoprout
- JR's HERITAGE SITES
- jsrinivasan
- J. Stevens
- Judit Andrea Juhász
- Juha Sjoeblom
- Junwang111
- Jun Zhou
- KarenBMoore
- kayakka
- Kbecq
- Kbtwhs
- Keith90245
- KeithBailey
- Kelise
- Kelly Henry
- kelseyyurek
- Ken DJ
- KentishTownRocks
- Kerékgyártó
- Kevin McFarland
- Kjlauer
- Klaus Bondar
- Knut
- Krijn
- Kurt Lauer
- la caperucita roja
- La Concy
- Lado Joel
- Lara Adler
- Larry F
- LaVale
- Lembu
- leslie84
- Lexxiface
- lichia
- Lindaflat
- Lindsay N
- Little Lauren Travels
- liu tuo
- liverpool1023
- ljowers
- LKERPS
- Loic Pedras
- Longdutch
- Lucio Gorla
- Ludvan
- Luis Filipe Gaspar
- luke725
- Luke LOU
- Lukemarshall
- Maciej Gil
- Maciej Gowin
- Malgorzata Kopczynska
- Martina Rúčková
- maryhattie
- MaYumin
- Mazeman
- mg:1
- Mia esguerra
- Michael Ayers
- Michael Novins
- michaelsballard
- Michael Turtle
- Michal Marciniak
- Michiel Dekker
- Mike
- MikeMa1999
- mikeyboyracer
- Mikita M
- Milan Jirasek
- Miloš Tašković
- miri2808
- MMM
- Mo-han Je
- monchan5396
- Monica Tasciotti
- MoPython
- Morodhi
- Naim Y
- nan
- NataliaS
- Nihal Ege
- Onkrad
- opperpco3
- Oscar Wu
- PabloNorte
- Paczeterson
- Pang Liang Fong
- Paola Laura
- Pascal Cauliez
- Pasha Globus
- patphilly
- Paul Schofield
- Paw90
- Philipp Leu
- Philipp Peterer
- phillipmeng
- Pink Bunny
- Piotr Wasil
- plutomu
- pressdm
- Rachel Perkins
- Rafał Kałczuga
- Randi Thomsen
- reddargon
- reinhardt
- Reisedachs
- Reza
- Rich Forrest
- Rick Ohm
- Riomussafer
- Risson
- Robert
- Robin Frank
- RobRos
- rogerding
- Roger Ourset
- Roman Bruehwiler
- Rosemary
- Royacurt
- sandersx2
- Sandmann15
- Sascha Grabow
- Sclowitz
- Sergio Arjona
- SGPIUnesco
- SHIHE HUANG
- sime147
- Simonf
- Socon
- Solivagant
- Sophie
- Squiffy
- Ssong.x
- Stanislaw Warwas
- StaziG
- stephhollett
- Stetrab
- Sutul
- Svein Elias
- Szucs Tamas
- Tamara Ratz
- Tammy Gouldstone
- Tarquinio_Superbo
- Tatiana Nikulnikova
- Tcchang0825
- Thibault Magnien
- Thomas Buechler
- Thomas Harold Watson
- Thomas van der Walt
- Tikhon Puliaev
- TimAllen
- Timothy C Easton
- Tonisan
- tony0001
- Tony H.
- Toxicologist
- Travel Addicts
- Traveling Girl
- triath
- Tschibi
- Twobaconsandaboston
- usagi1974
- Vanessa Buechler
- Van Hung
- Vernon Prieto
- Viaje al Patrimonio
- Vicente B. Avanzado Jr.
- Violeta
- Walter
- wantrain.
- Werner Huber
- Wieland
- Wimmy
- Wojciech Fedoruk
- Xinyue(Alice) Sun
- Xiong Wei
- Yevhen Ivanovych
- Zoe
- Zoë Sheng
- Zos M
- Zsuzsanna Forray
Community Reviews
Show full reviews
In his review, Jay highlights the high quality of the Turkish tentative list, being surprised that Ephesos, one of the most iconic Greco-Roman archaeological sites, was only inscribed in 2015. I have to agree with him, and it speaks volumes to the quality of Turkey's tentative list. Ephesos highlights are the library, the agora, and the mosaics. It also includes the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the world, and documents a long period of settlement from the Neolithic to Medieval times:
- The Cukurici Mound, located a bit south of the town, covers the Neolithic origins of the site.
- The ruins of the Temple of Artemis represent a high point of the classical and Hellenistic period.
- The main archaeological site is primarily Roman, with the Odeon, the Library, and the Terrace Houses with their mosaics being the prime structures.
- The Chapel of St Mary, from late antiquity, signifies Ephesus’s prominent role in early Christianity.
- The castle and the church are Byzantine. While these may feel underwhelming when compared to the archaeological site, these components round up the overall historic picture of the site and should at least warrant a short visit.
The area was settled for a long time due to the harbour, which made it a principal trading port and a rich agricultural hinterland. However, in the later Roman period, it silted up, leading to the city’s long decline. Today, Selcuk is a small provincial …
Keep reading 0 comments
We visited Ephesus in the spring of 2013 on a private guided tour from Izmir.
We first made a quick stop at the House of the Virgin Mary. A walk up a wooded path leads to a small brick building. The three memories which come to mind are pilgrims placing thin lit candles outside, the water running out of the house believed to have healing powers, but mainly the tour guide suspiciously spying on her boyfriend simultaneously giving a tour to a single woman! On the way down, there is a lovely view over the landscape, with Ephesus tucked in below the hillside.
After the main event (but before the obligatory tour guide trip to a rug factory!), we were brought to the (few) remains of the wonder-of-the-world Temple of Artemis, with mosque-and-castle views in the background.
We entered a temperate, busy but not-overcrowded Ephesus at the south entrance. I remember being fascinated on the walk down the colonaded street at the explanations of the guide on the plumbing of the city, how the columns were manufactured and how far the sea had retreated from where it once was. As well as the aforementioned brothel carving, mosaics and other obviously more detailed artistic sculpture, we also enjoyed the Roman board game carved into the stone. A well preserved Odeon was outshone for me by the even better preserved bathroom facilities!
The first crowning glory that the layout of Ephesus leads you to is the …

I visited this WHS in Spring 2021. The main location is definitely the Ancient Site of Ephesus, but there are three other locations which make up this WHS which can be considered as minor site by comparison.
Before visiting the Ancient Site of Ephesus, I invested some time to try to cover the three minor locations which make up this WHS. A panoramic viewpoint of the Ayasoluk Hill, the Artemision (or Temple of Artemis) and the Medieval Settlement location is reachable just off the main road before reaching the Ancient Site of Ephesus. It is also part of the Via Sacra Artemis. The Ayasoluk Castle and the Basilica of Saint John require quite an expensive ticket for what you get too see so if you're pressed for time and money, I would skip it. On the other hand, just behind the castle, I could visit the Isa Bey Mosque for free. I really liked the few original remaining turquoise tiles inside but even the most keen enthusiasts would find it difficult to classify this site as WH material.
The Artemision was the most important sanctuary of Ephesus. The massive Temple of Artemis counted as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Not much remains of this temple which was later converted to a church, apart from massive pillars which have been currently taken over by storks. The remains of the aqueduct go through the urban area of modern Selcuk and are also taken over by stork …
Keep reading 0 comments
I visited Ephesus on a two-week group tour of Turkey in July 2018. As everything was organized, I have done really few researches beforehand and I was happily surprised to discover such an impressive site! We spent two days in Selçuk. We had free time on the first afternoon and I used it to visit Saint John's Basilica, Isa Bey Mosque and Ayasoluk Kalesi. The second day was spent for a group tour to Ephesus, Artemis temple and Şirince (not inscribed) and a self-guided walk to Grotto of the Seven Sleepers (buffer zone) and House of the Virgin Mary.
Inscribed sites closer to Selçuk (Saint John's Basilica, Isa Bey Mosque and Ayasoluk Kalesi) are interesting but far from breathtaking. The Basilica was a very important site for the history of Christianity, but only a few columns and foundations remains. The same apply for Isa Bey Mosque. I know it's an important place, but the visit was not memorable. Selçuk is a nice city to visit. Ayasoluk Kalesi gave me the same feelings of a historically important place where few remain. All these three sites can be seen in the photo background. I really enjoyed the ruins of the aqueduct with its numerous nesting storks!
Ephesus old city is by far the highlight of this WHS. The library and both theaters are especially worth mentioning. Having a guided tour of the site was great. There's not much to see of Artemis temple. A single column made of many pieces …
Keep reading 0 comments
Ephesus was one of the great cities of antiquity, and erstwhile home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. After its harbor silted up, Ephesus lost value as a commercial center and never recovered. However, it left behind impressive ruins, which unfortunately don't include the Temple of Artemis. Ephesus is also important for Christian travelers, both for its Biblical history and as a pilgrimage site to the believed last home of Mary, the mother of Jesus. With such history I was surprised it took until 2015 for the city to become a World Heritage Site. I visited Ephesus in the spring of 2013, and thoroughly enjoyed wandering the ruins of the city. The restored façade of the Library of Celsus was magnificent, as was the large theater at the end of the former Harbor Street. Also on view were ancient baths, the agora, and a smaller Odeon theater. Although I didn't visit them, there was an archeological excavation of Terrace Houses on display for an additional fee. Ephesus was crowded with tour groups, but I didn't notice them because the city was so fascinating to explore.
Logistics: Ephesus is located near Selçuk, and can be reached by walking, biking, minibuses, or private transportation or tours. Ephesus is a popular stop for cruise ships, which often bring large tour groups.
Keep reading 0 comments
Beautiful site with a lot of history. Also the site of one of the seven wonders of the world; the Temple of Artemis (eventhough not much remains of this site).
Worth a visit and worthy to be a World Heritage Site.
Keep reading 0 comments