Wednesday 21st July

Ephesus was fabulous and the most developed and organised of the ruins we have visited over the last couple of years.  This meant that it was extremely crowded and that they lacked the charm of others such as Pergammon, or the surprise of the small but perfect amphitheatre with an amazing view of the sea just outside Kas or the sarcophagi that are dotted around the hills and in the water around Kekova Roads.  Nevertheless, very well worth the visit.  Here are the highlights...

The library of Celsus built as a monumental tomb in 117AD.  This had housed 12,000 scrolls in galleries designed to prevent damp damage but didn’t prevent the Goths burning the lot when they ransacked the place in 262AD.

The street leading down to the library.

The fascinating ‘Terrace Houses’ all rather fabulously underneath a lightweight roof with walkways and galleries making it easy to see into all the nooks and crannies. This is where the wealthy of the city lived and so the mosaics, marble wall veneers and wall paintings were fantastic. 

There is still much renovation to be done, mostly a massive jigsaw working out how all the marble fits together.

The crowds were not so great with, at this point, a solid mass of people stretching as far as you could see in every direction. 

Most people seemed to be part of an organised tour from one of the hotels or ships but this is not necessary.  The Rough Guide read loudly enough by one’s travelling companion serves just as well.