The name of Ephesus does not only remind one of the city itself, but also calls to mind Artemis, St. John and the Church of St. Mary.

   The latter attracts the interest of Christians all over the world.However; these sites are some distance from each other. The distance between St. John and St. Mary for example, is about 10 km., and if you wish to see the monuments between them you should spend a whole day there. When you spend a night  a Seljuk, you will not only be able to see the history and wonders of centuries past, as well as the House of the Virgin Mary (which was discovered through the vision of a pious Bohemian woman, but you will also enjoy the hospitality and customs of the Turkish people). Ephesus was built in the most beautiful part of the Western Anatolia. You realize this as soon as you enter the city. In fact it is not diffucult to imagine the historical past of the city, namely that of the Roman era, when Ephesus was the capital of five hundred Anatolian towns.

   This was after the period in which Homer wrote his immortal works, and the time in which St. John lived and died. At that time you could see the stairs of the colossal theatre from the sea far away, and the huge gleaming columns of the Temple of Artemis, which once used to blind people with their beauty. About 250.000 people used to live in this famous city where the most skilful artisans and rich merchants gathered together. The entertaintments held in honour of Artemis every year during April, were very gay. Spectators used to fill thee theatres, which were an essential part of their lives. About a million people made up the audiences during that speacial month. Sportsmen, musicians and theatre players used to attract people from the surrounding area, and spectators from as far away as Jerusalem and Athens as well. The great Temple of Artemis at Ephesus was one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. The ruins of Ephesus are magnificent. Though hundreds of years have passed and in spite of the ravages of time, they have survived to the present day, and even more that, they still preserve their grace and elegance. After its decline, Ephesus was abondeoned and forgotten for a long time. About a century ago the excavations of this ancient city began. Restoration has been undertaken continuously over the last ten years, so that some of this historical treasure, which had previously been buried for centuries, can now be seen and admired by millions.