ITINERARY

• Ephesus, was the second-largest city in the Roman Empire over 250.000 people in the 1st BC. Ranking only behind Rome it was the second-largest city in the world. Ephesus was also a harbor city. And, this giant city was built only with marble. Did you know Ephesus had the largest amphitheater in the ancient world over 25.000 seats? Also see Goddess Nike, Local pharmacy, Hadrian Gate, Library of Celsus (the third largest library), Marble Street, and Harbor Street.
• The House of Virgin Mary, is a place where according to the beliefs of many people Mary, the mother of Jesus, spent her last years of her life. She was supposed to arrive at Ephesus together with St. John and lived there in the years 37-45 CE until her Assumption or Dormition.
• Terraced Houses, are located on the hill, opposite the Hadrian Temple. Also called “the houses of rich”, they are important for the reason that they give us an idea about the family life during the Roman period. They were built according to the Hippodamian plan of the city in which roads transected each other of right angles.
• St. John Basilica, was a basilica in Ephesus. It was constructed by Justinian I in the 6th Century. It stands over the believed burial site of John the Apostle. It was modeled after the now last Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople.