Day 21(con't), Kusadasi, Ephesus

Kusadasi

We arrived at the port of Kusadasi, Turkey, in the afternoon. We were again in Asia––the section of Asia referred to as Asia Minor. Kusadasi was founded by the Venetians in the 16th century. Today, it is a modern city and a busy port. Photo: Arriving in Kusadasi.

Kusadasi

Another view of modern Kusadasi.

Kusadasi

axis waiting to take us from the ship to the bus. I don’t think any of our group took one of them but we found out that it may have been a good idea. The walk from the ship to the bus was not overly long but there were speed bumps on the walk and it was easy to trip on them. Toby not only tripped on one of the bumps, she fell head first and ended up completely prone on the walkway and was hurt. A doctor was called, who surprisingly came within a very short time. Sabrina asked the rest of our group if we wanted to wait for Toby––we all easily said, yes of course. She was treated by the doctor and we were on our way, with a bit shaken–up Toby, after not too long of a time. We were going on an optional tour to both the House of the Virgin Mary and to Ancient Ephesus (49 euros).

Kusadasi

Along the waterfront at Kusadasi.

Kusadasi

Farther along the waterfront.

Kusadasi

Interesting artwork along the waterfront.

Kusadasi

Dur (Stop) sign. Ephesus is 17 kilometers from here.

Kusadasi

Turkish waterpark that we passed.

Kusadasi

Modern hotels on the beach. Kusadasi is a major resort.

Kusadasi

I don’t know if this is a castle or a medieval hill town on top of the hill. I can find no information on it. We did not visit it, but it looked very interesting.

Kusadasi

Going up the hill to the House of the Virgin Mary.

Kusadasi

Ephesus–The House of the Virgin Mary

Sign pointing in the direction to Mary’s House. We had a local Turkish guide for our excursion. He was a Christian who told us that only Christian guides are allowed to take tourists to the House of the Virgin Mary.

Ephesus–The House of the Virgin Mary

Statue of the Virgin Mary with outstretched, welcoming arms. The statue was found during early 19th century excavations.

Ephesus–The House of the Virgin Mary

The House of the Virgin Mary, reconstructed on top of the original foundation. According to tradition (which means that it is believed to be so but has not been verified), this house is where the Virgin Mary spent her last days. Because of the persecution of Christians in Jersaleum, the Virgin Mary was taken to Ephesus by St. John the Apostle for her own safety (other sources say it was St. Paul who brought her here).

Ephesus–The House of the Virgin Mary

Only the red brick on the bottom is of the original house. The foundation was discovered in a most unusual way. A 19th century book entitled the “Life of the Blessed Virgin” reported the revelations of a nun in Germany who had never been to Ephesus or even outside Germany. She described the hills of Ephesus and the house where the Virgin Mary spent her last days. Two expeditions went to Ephesus and the foundation of the house was discovered exactly as described by the nun.

Ephesus–The House of the Virgin Mary

Additionally, in support that this was the House of the Virgin Mary is that local Christians have, since early times, made their way up this hill to celebrate the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. No photos were allowed inside the house, which is now a chapel. I scanned this photo of the chapel from a postcard.

Ephesus–The House of the Virgin Mary

The Sacred Spring at the House of the Virgin Mary. Holy water from the spring could be bought in glass containers from the souvenir stand on the grounds (also, other religious items and Turkish souvenirs could be purchased). At this store, the tourists were mobbing the shopkeepers.

Ephesus–The House of the Virgin Mary

The wall near the Sacred Spring where people put their written prayers into the crevices.

Ephesus–The House of the Virgin Mary

Close–up of the wall.

Ephesus–The House of the Virgin Mary

Ancient Ephesus

We drove down the hill to next visit Ancient Ephesus. This is the best–preserved classical city in the Mediterranean. In 129 B.C., the Romans were bequeathed the region by Attales, the King of Pergamon. It was a very important center of trade and commerce in Asia, as in ancient times it was located right on the sea, and it grew to be the second largest city in the Roman Empire. Ephesus was the center of the cult of Artemis, the goddess of the wilderness, the hunt and wild animals, and fertility. The Temple of Artemis in Ephesus was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It is now in ruins.