Ephesus
28mm by 7mm - Mosaic gold in sterling silver
$220 USD
Much of what is now the country of Turkey was once under the control of ancient Greeks. The most famous Greek (later Roman) ruin in Turkey is the port town of Ephesus. It was already famous in its time due to the nearby Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, but now tourists—often from cruise ships—flock to see the Library of Celsus, the incredible Terrace Houses, and the ancient theatre which could hold 24,000 people. It's an unbelievable archaeological site.
 |
| Not much remains of the Temple of Artemis, sadly |
 |
| The Temple of Celsus, with pendant |
I had been to Ephesus back in 2014, but on a tour not of my choosing, and missed the Terrace Houses, which have vast, excellent floor mosaics (and a separate ticket, so some tours give it a miss). Since Kostas is generally keen to see archaeological sites, I figured our trip to Turkey was a good time opportunity to finally see this part of the site. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint. Very few "ruins" can really give you a sense of what it would be like to live back in the time—ruins like Pompeii and Herculaneum are the extreme exception, rather than the rule. But in the Terrace House at Ephesus, I once again could imagine the people living, entertaining, and working. The mosaics were stunning, and the frescoed walls divine.
 |
| Just look at these wonderfully grand rooms! |
 |
| They truly have done a spectacular job with this area of the site |
If you ever plan a trip to Turkey, visiting Ephesus should absolutely be a top priority. It's simply fascinating.
Comments