Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, Turkey

From series “Seven Wonders of the World”

2 out of 7 - Hanging Gardens of Amitis, Iraq

3 out of 7 - Statue of Zeus at Olympia, Greece

4 out of 7 - Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, Turkey

5 out of 7 - Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, Turkey

6 out of 7 - The Colossus of Rhodes, Greece

7 out of 7 - Alexandria Lighthouse, Egypt

Year: 6th century BC.

One of the seven wonders of the world has been located in the Greek city of Ephesus thousands of years ago. It was the great temple of Artemis. However, only a few columns and part of the foundation have survived to these days. The prominent landmark can be seen in the small Turkish town of Selcuk, which is located in the southern part of the province of Izmir. The history of the grand building is incredibly complicated and full of tragic events. The first temple in Ephesus was built in the 6th century BC.

Construction lasted less than 300 years. The temple was completely burned by Gyrostat, and then restored. A few years later it was sacked by the Goths. Finally, the temple has been destroyed in the 4th century, and a Christian church was built in its place. The ephesus temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis was one of the most majestic in ancient Greece. According to historical records, a large part of the funds for its construction were donated by Croesus, the king of Lydia. He personally wrote an inscription on several pillars of the temple that scientists discovered subsequently.

The main building material was white marble. The statue of Artemis made of ivory and gold served as a main decoration of the sanctuary. The temple was governed by the board of priests. For many years, this place was not just a religious center, but the financial and business center of the city, which was completely independent from the municipal authorities. In 1869, the English explorer, John Turtle Wood, found the ruins of an ancient temple near the town of Selcuk. The foundation was discovered in full only in the 20th century. Now, everyone can visit these amazing sights and see the ruins of the once majestic temple.

Next - Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

Statue of Zeus at Olympia, Greece

Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, Turkey

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Temple of Artemis at Ephesus - interactive map

Useful staff nearby

ATM bankomat: 'Türkiye İş Bankası Atm' located in 0.36 km (

check the route on the map).

Car rental office: 'Smyrna Rent a Car' is located in 0.62 km (

on the map).

Fuel station: 'Totalgaz' in 0.48 km

Supermarket: 'Murat Büfe' in 0.42 km

Parking: 'Selçuk Belediyesi Otoparkı' in 0.45 km

Apotheek: 'Önder Medikal Ortopedi Tıbbi Malzeme Tic. Ltd. Şti.' in 0.44 km

Police station: 'Selçuk Oto Terminal Amirliği' in 0.51 km

Cafe/restaurant: 'Artemis Wine House' in 0.09 km

Railway station: 'Tcdd 321 Yol Bakım Onarım Şefliği' in 0.87 km

Nearest airports:
» Adnan Menderes Airport ADB - in 41 km

» Samos Airport SMI - in 49 km

» Cigli Military Airport IGL - in 69 km

» Milas Airport BXN - in 93 km

» Ikaria Airport JIK - in 94 km

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Best hotels near Temple of Artemis

Saint John Hotel

Located in 0 km from Temple of Artemis
Route on the map:

Rooms: 26

The chic rooms of Saint John Hotel are tastefully decorated to create a nostalgic atmosphere. Each room includes a seating area, flat-screen TV and … More: photo, rates and booking

Ionia House

Located in 1 km from Temple of Artemis
Route on the map:

Rooms: 2

The air-conditioned Ionia House comes with a utility room including a washing machine and ironing facilities. The en suite bathroom is equipped with … More: photo, rates and booking

Natureland Efes Pension

Located in 3 km from Temple of Artemis
Route on the map:

Rooms: 2

The airy rooms are fitted with wooden floors and plasma-screen TVs. Dining areas are standard in all rooms and Wi-Fi can be used for free. Natureland … More: photo, rates and booking

Kayserkaya Cottages

Located in 5 km from Temple of Artemis
Route on the map:

Rooms: 4

The cosy cottages of Kayserkaya feature authentic interiors with traditional rugs and elegant wooden furniture. They all offer calming views of the … More: photo, rates and booking

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The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus is the fifth wonder of the world. Its history is closely linked with the history of the temple of Artemis at Ephesus. It was built simultaneously with the second temple of Artemis, which was being rapidly restored after the fire. The …

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Top destination around Temple of Artemis at Ephesus - Kusadasi

It is impossible to ignore the available beach activities. Sea tours are very popular among those who are having a recreation with children. During these tours, you can visit the most interesting places for diving or fishing. For those who do not want to go to sea for the whole day, it is worth registering for a sea excursion along the coast. During this time, you can see a lot of interesting sights.

For those who do not like going on family holidays without interesting cultural events, it is worth visiting the main historical landmark of the city - the ancient Kusadasi Castle. The castle has been perfectly preserved to our days. It is located on the top of a hill and is surrounded by a picturesque garden. Children will definitely like to walk in this picturesque place. They will be able to see the real ancient castle in which bloody battles were fought hundreds of years ago. The adjacent territory of the castle offers a wonderful view of the coast. An excellent conclusion to the tour will be an entertainment in a local cafe where they sell wonderful ice cream.
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