Kusadasi started out as small
fishing village and has transformed into a popular, lively resort, with
its cosmopolitan visitors and classy marina, frequented by cruise liners
on a stop-over during their travels around the globe. It has its own sandy
beach, but not far away is the famous golden sands of 'Ladies Beach'. In
the evenings the quaint, authentic old quarter bustles with shops and bazaars,
along with easy-going bars and restaurants along the waterfront promenade,
but if you want something a bit more lively look no further than 'Bar Street'...
Kusadasi is also ideally located close to one of the greatest archaeological
sites in the world, 'Ephesus', as well the "Cotton Castle " terraces of
Pamukkale.
Many cruising ships travelling around the Aegean Islands
stop here, especially because of its close proximity (20km) to Selcuk
Kusadasi is a good base to explore this and other ancient cities like Ephesus,
Priene and Didyma.
Climate
Similar to a typical Mediterranean climate, the region has hot and dry
summers, reaching around 30 degrees. The winters are cool and wet, and
the nights can get cool and drop below 10 degrees.
Ephesus History
According to ancient inscriptions, Ephesus is thought to have been inhabited
since around 3000 BC, roughly the same time as Smyrna, and evidence of
Ion, Roman, Byzantine, Seljukian and Ottoman civilisations are still seen
today. The ancient city was a good centre for trading, mainly because of
its location close to coast, and religion. It was known for the cult of
Cybele, the Anatolian fertility goddess, then later for Artemis, the virgin
goddess for which a temple was built in her honour.
The temple was destroyed in 356 BC, and when Alexander the Great passed
through in 334 BC he offered to pay for the cost of a new construction
provided it was dedicated to him. The Ephesus people declined, and rebuilt
it with great success.
When
the Romans made Ephesus their provincial capital, it became a busy town
with great commercial, trading and political importance, and a population
that grew to around 250,000. A significant Christian community grew, and
the city was visited by St John the Evangelist in the 1st century, then
by St Paul, who was there between 51-53 AD and wrote some of his epistles.
It was also the venue of two Ecumenical Councils.
But the success of Roman Ephesus began to dwindle, mainly because of problems
connected to the harbour, which was the main source of trade. The Cayster
River was pushing silt up the harbour and despite attempts to dredge it
and rebuild the harbour, the sea was pushed back to Pamucak, 4km away,
and therefore Ephesus lost its source of wealth. By the 6th century, the
city was unliveable and was shifted near to St John’s Basilica, and
by 1090 it was taken over by the Turks.
House of Mary
According to the Gospel of John, as Jesus was hanging on the cross, He
presented His beloved disciple John with the care of His mother, Mary.
Four of six years after the death and resurrection of Jesus, St. John and
Mary are thought to have come to Ephesus and stayed on the site of what
is not the Church of the Council of 431. Later, John took Mary to a house
he had built on Nightingale Mountain. This house where Mary is thought
to have spent her last days was forgotten in time and fell to ruin. In
the Middle Ages it was often claimed that the house was found but to no
definite result.
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