In 17 a.d, a strong earth quick hit the city, causing damage. In the year 50, visited St. Poul the city, that was one of Jesus' twelve apostles. According to one of the legends, St. John, came to town with Jesus' mother, virgin Miriam. In 269, the Goths ruined Ephesus and the cities around it. Until 381, the temple of Artemis was active, when on that year the emperor Theodosius, ordered to close it down. It stayed closed and abandoned for almost 300 year. In the 6^th century during the rule of Justinianus, the church of yet another one of Jesus' apostles, St. John, was build.

The most notable thing about the city is, its wholeness. It has been restored almost completely. You can walk the marble paved streets, visit its houses, see the markets and more. It is almost possible to hear and see the people, vendors, chariots around you and smell the smells from the shops and houses. Thus who come to visit Ephesus, should dedicate at list, half a day for it. On site, you can rent a guide that will show you around the place, if you really want to see the “Screws and Bolts” of the place. On the other hand, you can get a map of the city, and tour the city by yourself. Among the many thing you can see in Ephesus is, the harbor that once was next to the sea, that is now about 5k' from the city. This harbor's ruins, together with other harbors that now can be found on land (e.g. Kaunas, next to Dalyan), tell us that in the past 2000 years, or so, the sea level is residing.

Celsus library, named after the Greek origin Christian Celsus, that apposed the the church, is also in the city. On the way to the well preserved amphitheater, you can see “Adrianus' Arch”. Once in the amphitheater, do the next experiment. Ask the person with the softest voice, to stand in the dent at the center of the “stage”, as an actor. Then go to the upper most row. Once there, the “actor” should speak wispier. You will be able to hear his/her voice load and clear, even though there are no microphones there. The reasons for that are the acoustical echo boxes and the arched shape of the amphitheater. It is a good example for the Greeks ingenuity. Other places that were dug and restored, was the official city's brothel. If you look at the harbor's dock, next to the loading area, it is possible to see, what is maybe the first commercial ever. It is a curving of a woman and a sandal, heading to the left (if you just came down from the boat). This is the brothel's commercial, for the seamen and for the city's citizens. Needless to say, that prostitution was legal then.

In the city you can see the statue of the goddess Nike, from the Greek mythology. She was primly the goddess of victory. Then, she became the goddess for sports and for the athletes. Artemis' temple on site, was once one of the seven wonders of the old world. It was build in the year 500 b.c.

Few kilometers from Ephesus, lays the town of Selçuk. Though it is close to the site, it kept its authenticity. You can use it as a lodge if you plan on staying over night, and or visit the trains museum as well. In the museum you can see old locomotion's and train carts. If you take a tour in it, you can be intoxicated by the many smells, that will over whelm you. in Selçuk, they make the known Selçuki wine. They also harvest olives and make olive oil. It is a good place to have lunch/dinner after you finish you Ephesus tour.

Before touring Ephesus, remember to take with you (especially in the summer) a hat, water, sun screen, walking shows and a camera. If you are traveling with little kids, you may want to take with you some snacks for them (and yourselves as well).