"As a strategic coastal gateway to the Eastern World, this Ionian refuge grew to be the second largest city in the Roman Empire, the site of a Christian shrine, and one of the seven wonders of the ancient world."

"Legend has it that the Virgin Mary,accompanied by St. Paul, came to Ephesus at the end of her life,circa 37-45 AD."

"In 1967 Pope Paul VI. visited the site, where a chapel now stands, and confirmed the authenticity of the legend." -http://www.ephesusguide.com/

"Odeion- This semi-circular structure, known also as the Small Theatre. According to an inscription unearthed, it was built as a bouleuterion (council chamber) around 150 A.D. by Publius Vedius Antonius and his wife FlaviaPapiana. They were member of a distinguished family in Ephesus."

"The original structure was provided with coverings and with a capacity of 1400 seated spectators, alternatively served as bouleuterion and as a small covered theatre. The structure consist of three main sections which are found in all other theatres: the cavea (auditorium), the orchestra (place of action for the actors) and the skene (the stage building)" -http://www.kusadasi.biz/odeion.asp

The Celcus Library- " 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. The facade is two-storeyed. On the lower storey, the columns with Corinthian capitals are placed on a 21 meters long podium reached by nine steps. The columns are arranged in pairs and between them there are three doors with richly decorated frames. The door in the middle is wider and taller than the other two."

"Statues seen in the niches between the doors, are copies of the originals which were taken to Vienna during the years when the library was being excavated. As the inscriptions on the bases indicate, the statues symbolized the WISDOM (SOPHIA), KNOWLEDGE (EPISTEME), INTELLIGENCE ( ENNOIA) and VIRTUE (ARETE) of Celsus." -http://www.kusadasi.biz/library.asp

in Izmir

check out the cute little cat on the right

back in Istanbul