General Information
Temple of Artemis (Greek: Artemision, Latin: Artemisium) is also known as the Temple of Diana. The temple, dedicated to the goddess Artemis, it was completed in 550 years. The temple was built entirely of marble. Only one or two pieces of marble are left behind today, which is considered one of the seven wonders of the world.
One of the interesting features of the temple was that it served as a bank. The priest Megabysos undertook such tasks as accepting precious items that were given to the temple or left as escort, and giving credit from the temple budget. There were also some privileges of the Temple of Artemis. The most important of these was that when he took refuge in the temple, he was recognized for his immunity as long as he stayed here. This caused many criminals to gather in the temple.
Excavations in the 19th century revealed the first temple. These excavations continued in the 20th century. Today Link: Although some of the columns belonging to the temple are exhibited in the British Museum, there is not much left over from the temple. Many copies of the statue of the Goddess Artemis, one of the sculptures in this temple, have reached today. The statue of the Goddess Artemis, BC A replica that was estimated to have been made between 117 and 138 is also on display at the Selçuk Archeology Museum today.
History of the Region
Artemis is in the known historic place Ephesus in Selçuk, İzmir. The first establishment of the ancient city of Ephesus within the boundaries of Selçuk District of İzmir was founded in BC. In 6000 years, it is descending to the Polished Stone Age called Neolithic Period. In recent years, researches and excavations have identified settlements belonging to the Bronze Ages and Hittites at Ayasuluk Hill where the mounds surrounding Ephesus (prehistoric hill settlements) and Castle are located. During the Hittites Period, the name of the city is Apasas. B.C. The port city of Ephesus, where immigrants from Greece began to live in 1050 BC in 560 the Temple of Artemis was moved around. Ephesus, who was visited today, was discovered by Lysimakhos, one of the generals of Alexander the Great. It was founded in 300 years. Ephesus, the most glorious period of the Hellenistic and Roman ages, was the capital and largest port city of the Asian state and had a population of 200,000.
Ephesus has been relocated in the Byzantine Period and came to Ayasuluk Hill in Selçuk for the first time. Ayasuluk, which was taken by Turks in 1330 and is the center of Aydınoğulları, began to shrink gradually from the 16th century. It was named Selçuk after the foundation of our Republic in 1923 and today it is a touristic place with a population of 30.000 people.
Ephesus, one of the most important centers of the ancient world, Throughout its history to the 4th century, it has always played an important role in the fields of civilization, science, culture and art.
Since Ephesus has been replaced many times throughout its history, remains are spread over a wide area. Spread over an area of approximately 8 km², excavation-restoration and editing works are carried out within these remains, which are open spaces.
Places to Visit
The places to visit besides Temple of Artemisare: VEDIUS GYMNASIUM, STADIUM, ACROPOLIS, BYZANTINE BREAKS, DOUBLE LOCKS, PORT BOARDS, ARKADIANA (Harbor Street), THEATER GYMNASIUMU, AGORA, THE HOUSE OF THE VIRGIN MARY.
Transportation
If you can go to Temple of Artemis by getting on a Selçuk minibus from Izmir Intercity Bus Terminal(İZOTAS) or getting on the Denizli train which departs from the Basmane Train Station in Alsancak and getting off at Selçuk Station.
Accommodation
İn İzmir there are many hotels and hostels to stay. The prices vary from 30$ to 250$ for a night. If you do not want to stay away from the Temple of Artemis, you can choose an accommodation in Selçuk. If you say that you want to stay near the sea and see the famous Cordon, you can choose an accommodation in Alsancak but do not forget that it will be more expensive. If you want to swim, Alaçatı, Çeşme and Mordoğan are the best choices, however trying to travel to Temple of Artemis will be more hard and tiring from these places.
Statistics of Touristic Visits
300 000 – 400 000 of people visiting Ephesus in a year. %85 them are foreigners.
What to Eat in Izmir
Since İzmir is a coastal city, sea foods in here is magnificent. Here are some tastes to eat in Izmir while travelling…
Boyoz and Tea Dish
Boyoz: Identified with İzmir, you can only taste here is the taste of the tribe İzmir is the first to come to mind. I recommend you to taste some kind of dough job.
Kumru: Kumru, a kind of sandwich, is one of the delights of Izmir. This sandwich is made by putting cheese, tomato and green pepper among bagels obtained from a little salty paste and is one of the favorite foods of İzmir.
Izmir meatball
İzmir Meatballs: İzmir meatballs spreading all over my country are the most popular and delicious tastes of İzmir cuisine. Be sure to taste this dish made with baked potatoes, tomatoes and peppers with meatballs.
Izmir Tulum Cheese
İzmir Tulum: İzmir Tulum which is unique from İzmir is indispensable for breakfast meals. It is very difficult to find it in other cities except İzmir.
Tarhana soup
Tarhana Soup: At the end of summer, flour, yoghurt, abundant tomatoes, red peppers, Izmir weeds are first cooked in boilers, then left in the shed, dried and hand-rubbed into flour, dried thoroughly and kept in winter. During cold winter days, it is cooked with meat juice and served with hot bread with fried bread. Tarhana is a very delicious, local high-value soup.
Keskek: It is especially known as a wedding and feast. It is offered to the guests at keskek weddings, which are formed by baking thoroughly in the large boilers and on the heavy wood fire with the sheep of soft wheat removed from the crumbs and smashed in stone stumps. Tinned copper on the scene is served on the desire to pour spicy and red pepper butter.
Touristic Statistics
Last years touristic statistics say that Izmir welcomes about 200 000 tourist per month during summer and spring and about 30 000 tourists during fall and winter.