Ephesus Ancient Greek Theatre — Attraction in Selçuk

I recently travelled to the wonderful nation of Turkey, and I felt obligated to relate my amazing experience at the Efes Antik Tiyatrosu, or Ephesus Ancient Greek Theatre. This historic building is a monument to the illustrious past of the Greek and Roman civilizations and gave me an experience I will never forget.

The Ancient Greek Theatre, located within the Ephesus archaeological complex in Turkey's Izmir Province, is a must-see destination for both history buffs and casual tourists. The theatre, which dates back to the third century BCE, has a long history and was formerly the centre of political meetings, gladiatorial contests, and cultural activities. It is a feat of ancient engineering and architecture, with seating for more than 24,000 spectators.

I was astounded by the theater's size and magnificence as soon as I arrived at the location. The "cavea," a semi-circular seating area that stretches up the hillside and provides breathtaking views of the nearby ruins and the surrounding scenery. The "skene," or stage building, still stands tall and is covered with elaborate sculptures and reliefs that evoke the old world's artistic skill.

I couldn't help but picture the fervour and passion of the crowd during a performance as I ascended the theatre's steep steps. The theatre's superb acoustics, which are still substantially in tact today, enhanced the ambiance. The guided tour gave fascinating insights into the theater's significance and history, as well as how it fit into the overall picture of Ephesus, the ancient city.

The Ephesus ancient site has a tonne of other breathtaking features besides the theatre itself. Among the wonders still to be uncovered are the Terrace Houses, the Temple of Artemis, and the Library of Celsus. The site is enormous, and around every corner there is a fascinating tale just waiting to be discovered, therefore I strongly advise allotting plenty of time to explore it all.

Practically speaking, the site is easily reachable from neighbouring towns like Selçuk and Kusadasi by car, bus, or guided tours. There are numerous parking spots accessible, in addition to amenities including cafes, bathrooms, and gift stores. Since you'll be walking a lot and the sun may be fairly harsh, you should wear comfortable shoes and sunscreen at all times.

Overall, I had a remarkable and lasting experience during my visit to the Ephesus Ancient Greek Theatre. Anyone travelling to Turkey should not miss this must-see destination due to the site's tremendous beauty and splendour as well as the amazing tales and history it holds. I am incredibly appreciative of the chance to travel down memory lane, and I wholeheartedly urge others to visit this...

Echoes of the Apostles and Empire Standing in the Great Theatre of Ephesus is like standing in history itself. With a capacity of over 25,000 seats, this awe-inspiring structure was the largest theatre in ancient Asia Minor and still dominates the site with its grandeur. Built during the Hellenistic period and later expanded by the Romans, it hosted dramas, political events, and gladiator fights.

For Christians, this theatre holds profound significance. According to Acts 19, the Apostle Paul’s preaching led many Ephesians to abandon idol worship, especially that of the goddess Artemis. This angered local silversmiths who made shrines for Artemis, causing a riot. The mob dragged Paul's companions into this very theatre, and for two hours the crowd shouted, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" Knowing this brings the stones to life with spiritual history.

Unfortunately, during our recent visit, the theatre was under restoration, so we weren’t able to go inside. Still, seeing it from the outside was deeply moving.

One unexpected highlight was meeting the famous local cat “Garfield,” who’s become something of a mascot at the theatre. We took so many fun photos with him—it truly made the visit even more memorable.

We recommend visiting early morning or late afternoon to avoid the strong sun and crowds.

#EphesusTheatre #Acts19 #ApostlePaul #GarfieldTheCat #BiblicalSites #UNESCO #TurkeyTravel #AncientDrama...

For anyone who loves the history of the Apostle Paul's journeys found in the word of God, Ephesus is a magnificent spot to visit. It was in Ephesus that Paul set off a riot by his preaching. The silversmiths felt Paul was destroying their trade which depended on the presence in Ephesus of the Temple of Artemis. Paul, by his preaching, was turning people to Jesus and causing the trade of the silversmiths to decline.

It was in this amphitheater of Ephesus that the citizens of the city gathered in a mini-riot to complain about Paul. The Bible says they screamed for 2 hours, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians," until the leaders of the city were finally able to calm them.

Ephesus was an amazingly cosmopolitan city. The amphitheater seats 20-some thousand. It took a powerful man preaching a powerful message to disturb the piece of such a large, sophisticated city. The opportunity to visit the amphitheater where the riot occurred, and where Paul spoke to the assembled crowd, is not to be missed.

In addition, the Library of Celsus is majestic. The people of Ephesus knew what a library should feel like. A visit to Ephesus will be a highlight of any trip to Turkey. Don't miss the church at the side of the north entrance where the third ecumenical council of the Christian...