KUSADASI
This seaside resort town has grown immensely in the last 30 years, and is especially popular
with package holiday-makers from Europe. Kusadasi is a good base to explore other ancient
cities.
Although there is little of historical interest in Kusadasi itself, the town is popular
predominantly because of its many hotels, restaurants, souvenir and carpet shops,
and lively nightlife. The Kale district has some old traditional houses and narrow streets,
and gives some indication of what the town used to be like.
IZMIR - SMYRNA
Izmir is the third largest city in Turkey and the main center for exports. Under the Eastern
Roman Empire Smyrna’s leading place in commerce was taken over by Constantinople (Istanbul).
Ancient Smyrna was considered the most beautiful of the cities of Roman Province of Asia.
Many of its public building were faced with white marble. Its most famous native son is Homer.
It was the site of the second church scolded by St. John in revelation.
EPHESUS
Gleaming white with marble, offering a full range of business and entertainment opportunities,
Ephesus rivaled Rome in its magnificence. Today the marble street where St. Paul walked and
the theater he faced a rioting mob call forth the most attention. The most important commercial
center in western Anatolia. Even ruins are impressive.
HOUSE OF VIRGIN MARY
About 3 miles away in the forested mountain above Ephesus is House of Virgin Mary. Today it is
visited by pilgrims from all over the world. It is a modest stone house.
In addition to the climate, beaches and facilities of the town, the transportation infrastructure is a
definite plus for attracting visitors. It has easy connections to the nearby airport Dalaman, ferries
to Rhodes - Greece. |
