SOUTH AEGEAN

A highlight to any trip to Turkey is a visit to Efes (Ephesus) -once the commercial center of the ancient world.

The city, whose wealth and patronage supported its splendid architectural program, was dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Her enormous temple, once considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was rebuilt several times. The city ruins include a theater, gymnasium, the agora and baths, as well as the Celsus Library. The earliest artifacts from Ephesus are dated at 3000 B.C. After the early civilizations of the Carians and Leleks was destroyed by the Kimmerians in the 7th century B.C., the area was rebuilt by the Lydian King Croesus. The area was subsequently conquered by the Persian king, Cyrus, and later by the Romans. Ephesus was an important port city until with the passing of time and erosion, the bay gradually filled with sand. Also, earthquakes damaged the city and by 527 A.D. it was deserted.

Guvercin (Pigeon) Island, Kusadasi - Aydin

The nearby town of Seljuk is dominated by a Byzantine citadel which stands close to the 6th century basilica of St. John built on what some claim to be the site of the Apostle's tomb. The 14th-century Isa Bey Mosque, next to the basilica is accessed through its typical Seljuk portal. The Archeological Museum houses an impressive collection of statues and other finds recovered during the excavations of Ephesus. The nearby Turkish Bath Museum, built in the 16th century, depicts Turkish life at the hamam (bath). The Ephesus International Festival, features singers from all over the world is held annually.

St. John's Selcuk - Izmir

Tradition has it that St. John brought St.Mary to Ephesus after the death of Christ and that she lived until the age of 101 in a small house (Meryemana Evi) built for her on Bulbuldagi (Mt. Koressos). Now a popular place of pilgrimage for Catholics and Muslims, the house has received the official sanction of the Vatican and a commemoration ceremony is held every year on August 15th. The third church council in 431 was held in the Baslica of the Virgin Mary in' Ephesus. The Seljuk Turks came to the Seljuk / Ephesus area in 1090. Near Seljuk in Camlik is a TCDD Open-air Steam Locomotives Museum. Eight km east of Seljuk is Sirince, known for its traditional 19th century village houses, some of which have been converted into guest houses. Wine is produced in this small hillside Turkish village, which is a living museum. Not to be missed are the handcrafts on sale in the village. Eighteen km from Seljuk are facilities for wine tasting.

Kusadasi

The city of Aydin enjoys a widespread reputation for its fine figs. Known as Tralleis in ancient times, it was at the center of a celebrated school of sculpture. The remains seen today date from the second century A.D. although there is evidence of civilization as early as the 14th century B.C. After 1186 the town came under Seljuk rule. The local museum displays artifacts from the different periods of its history.

Back along the coast, Kusadasi, or Bird Island, is a lovely port built along the shores of a glittering bay. Its ancient name was Scalanova. The terraced town overlooks the Aegean's most beautiful inlet and seems to have been created purely for the delight of vacationers. Be sure to visit the famous Kus shopping center in the Kaleici quarter, where there is also nightly entertainment. And don't miss the Okuzbasi Mehmetpasa Caravanserai, now a hotel. The large, modem Setur Manna facilitates life for visiting yachtsmen.

Aphrodisias, Aydin

Tusan-Kustur Beach, north of Kusadasi is one of the cleanest beaches and 23 km south of Kusadasi is the charming resort town of Guzelcamli West of Guzelcamli and 30 Ian from Kusadasi is the Dilek Peninsula National Park, and a visit is a must for those with the time. Here, amidst beautiful surroundings, there are wonderful views but also some of the rarest wild animals in Turkey, including the Anatolian cheetah and some of Turkey's last wild horses. The park is a wildlife preserve and a haven for many species of animals and birds.

The exquisite Menderes River valley known in the West as the Meander, has been the cradle of many civilizations. Set amidst pine, olive and oleander trees, the magnificent Camici (Bafa or Latmos) Lake is a lovely place for a stopover. Tourists can choose between guest houses or campsites. To the east of the lake rise the five peaks of the Besparrnak Mountains. The iconoclastic priests who came here from Constantinople to live built monasteries churches, and chapels around the base of the mountains and on the islands in the lake. The ruins of the ancient city of Heraklia lie close to the lake, while the remains of Alinda are found on the eastern slopes of the Besparmak Mountains. The valley has witnessed the rise and fall of several great cities, notably Priene, Miletos, Didyma, Aphrodisias, and Hierapolis. This peaceful national preserve is an excellent place for bird-watchers, hikers, nature-lovers and photographers.

Temple of Apollo, Didim - Aydin

Gullubahce (Priene) was one of the busiest ports of the Ionian Federation. The grid-like system of streets introduced in the 4th century B.C. by Hippodamos of Miletos is a superb example of early town planning.

Milet (Miletos), like Priene, was a great Ionian port and the birthplace of several philosophers and sages. The theater justifies a visit as do the Archeology Museum and the well preserved ruins of the Faustina baths.

Although Didim (Didyma) can only boast a single monument, it is nevertheless a marvelous site. The Temple of Apollo was one of antiquity's most sacred places. Many times looted and burned, the colossal sanctuary still impresses with its elegant beauty surrounded by a double-colonnaded portico. Not far from the archeological site is the beautiful beach of Altinkum with its many guest houses. Akbuk is another resort in the region with inviting beach hotels.

Gullubahce (Priene), Aydin

Although the history of Geyre (Aphrodisias) stretches farther back in time, this city dedicated to Aphrodite, the goddess of love and fertility, rose to prominence in the first century B.C. Some of the richest treasures of ancient times were uncovered in the excavations here. The public buildings are handsomely adorned with marble that was carved with the skill that produced remarkable temples, monuments, baths, a theater and a magnificent stadium. The reputation of the city's craftsmen for the exquisite finesse of their sculpting spread through the civilized world, and Aphrodisias became the center of the greatest sculpting school of antiquity. Many of its marvelous works of art are now housed in the local museum. The theater and bouleuterion are among the city's best-preserved ruins.

About 35 km east of Aydin is Sultanhisar, host to an Art and Culture Festival every spring. Nearby, in the quiet of the olive trees, are the ruins of ancient Nysa, famous in the 2nd century A.D. as an educational center.