Turkey 9: More Ephesus

At the end of the main street, we came to a square and found what remained of the ancient library of Ephesus.

Holding over 12,000 scrolls, this library was the third largest library in the ancient world.  Only the libraries of Alexandria and Pergamon were larger.

A different view of the square and library facade.  I was sad that we got there in the late afternoon when the sun was immediately behind it.

Here we can see but a glimpse of the rich detail with which the Romans decorated everything.  This facade took my breath away. I could have stared at it for hours.

To the right of the library, one exited the square under three lovely arches.

Outside the arches and down the way a bit one finds the remnants of the city's amphitheater.

This is a composite photograph stitched together with software.  I suggest clicking on it to get a much larger view.

This theater held 25,000 people.  The upper seating slanted up at a steeper angle for better sight lines and acoustics.  Again, the acoustics in this place were perfect.

This arched tunnel lead crowds out of the theater.

A longer shot of the theater.

Another huge square outside the walls by the library, which can be see here in the background.

Outside of the huge square in the image above this, we came upon the remnants of this church.  It is said that the third major Christian council in AD 431 was held here, Nicaea being the first in AD 325.

And here, we saw some of the first Christian iconography.

Bottom line: Put this place on your bucket list.  We had only a few hours to spend here.  If I had it to do over, I'd easily give this place a full day. Because, once again, I have not even begun to scratch the surface with these images of what there is to see here.

Continue on to Post 10 Hierapolis Necropolis, by clicking here.