Selcuk Turkey

Selcuk Turkey


We arrived to Selcuk around 4pm after a long bus ride from KayaKoy to check into a nice hotel in the older part of the town on the site of the ancient city of Ephesus. Selcuk has a population of approximately 30000 people and has been an agricultural community but now expanded its’ base as a popular tourist destination due to the close proximity to Ephesus. However it is still common to see tractors as well as cars on the streets.

Tractors still have the right of way





And so do men selling figs

After a short walk through town to visit the mosque we went up the mountain to visit a small town called Sirince which is known for its’ wine made from local fruits. There are lots of opportunities for wine tasting and of course shopping. I bought a lovely tablecloth for only 30l. The whole town is a national historic site so many cobbled streets and old houses.

Buying lotto tickets...I love pics of everyday life on the streets of the towns we visit

Selling her wares,in this case tablecloths

The second day has been spent among the ruins which are all close by. In the morning Don and I went to visit the Basilica of St. John the Baptist which was erected in the 4th century to commemorate his life and work. The story goes that John and Mary, the mother of Jesus, came here after the death of Jesus. He wrote the Gospel of St. John while living here and is also buried in the Basilica. The site is still very impressive covering a large area; it is believed if it was still standing it would be one of the largest cathedrals in the world.

A row of colums that once held the roof of the catherdral

There are mosques everywhere that seem always to be calling to prayer,this one was just across the street and would wake us each morning at 4am.Who goes to church at that hour?

Nearby is the Temple of Artemis which when built was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. We didn’t walk there but did get a picture from the top of the hill. There is only one column topped with a storks nest and some foundations left.



Here it is the only remains of a once grand temple,everywhere we look in Turkey there is another ancient ruin


This afternoon we all went to Ephesus with a local guide who was quite colourful and an excellent story teller; he really kept us entertained with the history and culture of this great site. What is Ephesus? It is the best preserved classical city in the eastern Mediterranean and Turkey’s premier tourist attraction. We were lucky that the loads of bus tours were not there today.

Sitting with our guide under the shade of a pear tree

This ancient city was very sophisticated with running water, public toilets, renowned medical facilities and Romans baths. It is quite something to see and as of now it is only 18% excavated. It is at least 1500 years old and at its’ prime held half a million people. It is amazing to see the architecture both grand and detailed as we explored the sight.

One view of the city

The mosiacs on the shopping street were amazing

The awesome public library with an underground tunnel to the brothel

One area that is well preserved is the theatre which seats 25,000 people with beautiful acoustics. An interesting note was that St. Paul came here to preach Christianity and write his letter to the Ephesians. He was jailed a number of times but survived his persecution here. Again, I did not realise that this part of the world is where the apostles came after the death of Jesus to spread the Gospel.

Marsha trying out the acoustics

Trying out the public toilets

After we left Ephesus we walked into a nearly town where we had the opportunity to make gozleme, the Turkish pancake, as well as enjoy them for supper. It was a neat place with the women working on the olives, keeping the fire going as well as making us dinner.

Hope Don does not get any ideas about being a sultan!

We ended the evening smoking nargile on the rooftop terrace of our hotel.

I am not a smoker but enjoyed the apple and mint combination