Discover History Here – Places to Visit in Selcuk, Izmir
Selcuk is a historical tourism district in the south of İzmir, where the ancient city of Ephesus and the house of the Virgin Mary are located. The ancient city of Ephesus, one of the most important settlements of Antiquity, is visited by 2 million tourists every year. It is one of the largest open-air museums in the world. Selcuk Ephesus Museum, on the other hand, is considered one of the most important and richest museums in Europe.
Selcuk district is a geography where three religions spread and expanded. Paganism period with the Temple of Artemis; Virgin Mary’s House, Virgin Mary’s Church, St. John’s Church and Tomb, and the best structures from the Christian era. Isa Bey Mosque, one of the most important works of Seljuk art and witnessing the Islamic era, is the best example.
Ephesus Ancient City
Ephesus Ancient City (Efes Antik Kenti) The ancient city of Ephesus, located in Selcuk district, whose history dates back to 6000 BC, is one of the most important open-air museums in Turkey and in the world. The city, which was founded by the Amazons, has witnessed many periods such as Prehistoric, Archaic, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, Aydinogullari and Ottoman periods and has a historical texture that continues to reflect each period.
Only about 15% of the city, which has very developed commercial, political and religious features, has come to light. It has an archaeological and historical value that doubles as it includes the area that is the Temple of Artemis.
The city, which was built entirely of marble, has a dazzling beauty. There are many religious monuments represented in Ephesus, which is located in a beautiful geography where many religions started and spread.
Ephesus Archaeological Museum
Ephesus Archaeological Museum (Efes Müzesi), where mostly ancient buildings are exhibited, is one of the most admired museums in Turkey. Ephesus Museum, which may attract your attention with its coin and treasure hall, Ephesus Artemis hall, Emperor’s hall and a few more exhibition halls, is an important museum for those who are interested in archaeological remains.
The museum also has a garden. In the garden, you can see sculptures and valuable artifacts from ancient times to the present day. There is also a place where souvenirs are sold in the museum. Don’t forget to buy a few things in memory of Ephesus from here.
The Temple of Artemis (Artemis Tapınağı) The ruins of the Temple of Artemis, one of the 7 wonders of the world, which is the size of a football field, will be one of the important stops in your Selcuk trip. Although there is not much left of the temple, it is of historical importance as it is the first temple of the ancient world made of marble.
Cave of the Seven Sleepers (Yedi Uyurlar Mağarası – Selcuk) According to the legend, 7 or 8 young people living in the time of Decius accepted Christianity and adopted the needs of religion, but because of the pagan beliefs of the period, they took refuge in a cave and stayed in that cave because they could not live their religion fully.
These seven young people miraculously sleep here. Learning where they are, the king orders the cave door to be closed with stone and mortar. On top of that, a plaque with an inscription like “The death of the Seven Unbelievers” was left on the cave door. These young people stay in the cave for an average of 230 years, but they still continue their lives without dying.
House of Virgin Mary
House of Virgin Mary (Meryemana Evi) This mysterious house in Selcuk is a place where many Muslims pray and make vows, as well as Christians who come from all over the world to fulfill their pilgrimage.
A villager and bedridden woman named “Anna Katharina Emmerick”, who lived between 1774-1824 and had never seen Ephesus in her life, dreams that the House of Virgin Mary is on a mountain just behind Ephesus. Everything starts with this dream. Dreams are incessant and Katharina finally decides to collect them in a book. The title of the book is “The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary”.
This book, which made a great impression in the Christian world, also attracts the attention of the Vatican. After this book, the Vatican began to search for the House of the Virgin Mary in 1881. This house was found by 4 researchers on 29 July 1891. It is declared a “Place of Pilgrimage” by the Vatican and the first holy liturgy takes place on May 20, 1896, with the participation of more than 500 Christians.
After this event, which shed a light on the Christian religion, the house, which was in ruins, was restored and opened to visitors of all religions.
