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| The library. |
Among the many wonderful memories of our holidays in Turkey, are of a visit to the most amazing ruins, I have ever seen.
We stood on the top of a hill and looked down upon the most wondrous sight ever. There was a long road lined by pillars which lead to the Library of Celcus.
The beautiful turquoise blue sky created a wonderful backdrop for façade of the library.
Ephesus is the site of an ancient city, and it is the best preserved classical city in the eastern Mediterranean. It is among the best places in the world to get a feel what life was like in Roman times. Ancient Ephesus was a great trading and religious city, a centre for the cult of Cybele, the Anatolian fertility goddess. Under the influence of the Ionians Cybele became Artemis, the virgin goddess of the hunt and the moon.
A fabulous temple was built in her honour. When the Romans took over and made this the province of Asia, Artemis became Diana and Ephesus became the Roman provincial capital. It's temple of Diana was counted among the Seven Wonders of the World.
The Great Theatre.
I can't believe we actually sat in the centre of this theatre. I believe visitors are restricted to where they can walk, now, as it is crumbling in parts. There is presently a programme in place restoring it.
When I have the opportunity, I shall write more about our visits to Turkey, it is such a special place and holds many wonderful memories for us.
My sincere thanks to the ever entertaining Denise, for devising this most excellent ABCW blog site and also to Roger, for his earnest endeavours in the administration of the site.
The temple of Diana and below the ruins.of the temple.I can't believe we actually sat in the centre of this theatre. I believe visitors are restricted to where they can walk, now, as it is crumbling in parts. There is presently a programme in place restoring it.
When I think of Ephesus, I think of Paul from the bible who spent many days there preaching. Would LOVE to visit.
ReplyDeleteYou took some gorgeous photos.
Ann
For some reason, it always tickles me when a scripture reader introduces a piece from Ephesians as "Paul's letter to the people of Ephesus."
ReplyDeleteROG, ABCW
Looks lovely :)
ReplyDeleteThe Library is so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMy ABC WEDNESDAY
Looks lovely. The only theatre I have seen and sat in, is in Syracuse in Sicily. I have never been to Turkey though.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you sat in this very place, unfortunately yes lots of places are "look only" due to crumbling with their age.
You're so lucky to have been able to visit Turkey. I'd love to see/read more of your travels. I wish I lived in England as it's so much closer (&cheaper) to travel to other areas of Europe!
ReplyDeleteAmazing place. Grand structures.
ReplyDeleteHello Ann, good to hear from you and thanks for your comments.
ReplyDeleteSome of the photo's were taken from the internet, I have only posted pictures as I remember the particular part of the ruins.
We spent a whole day there and boy was it hot.
Turkey is a most amazing country and well worth a visit.
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team
Hi Roger, we followed part of St Pauls journey from Ephesus and further into Turkey to see the house and a chapel dedicated to The Virgin Mary, which was most interesting, and deeply, spiritually uplifting.
ReplyDeleteI felt most humbled to be treading in the footsteps of one of Jesus's Disciples.
Best wishes,
Di.
abcw team.
Anita:
ReplyDeleteTurkey is a fascinating country.
Oozing with culture and history
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Photo Cache:
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by.
yes the library is beautiful, when we first set eyes upon it we just stood on the hill all agog, simply breath taking,
can you imagine what it must have been like, living there when it was a wealthy thriving place. Even now the scenery all around is stunning.
I think that's why we had twelve holidays there, each one in a different place.
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Hello Anne,
ReplyDeleteLovely to hear from you again.
If you ever get the opportunity you must go to Turkey all you need is a camera, an endless supply of water and a good pair of walking shoes, you'd love it!
The food is superb and the people are charming.
Love Di xx
Hello Leslie:
ReplyDeleteSo good to hear from you and thanks for your comments.
I just know you would love Turkey, it really is, 'just your cup of tea'!
I am going to write more for next week's ABCW about another fascinating place in Turkey.
Love to you,
Lorne and Miss Tegan.
Di xx
Hi Indrani,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by.
Yes, Turkey is an amazing place and we have had so many wonderful holidays there, each one a different adventure.
I am writing more next week about another fascinating place in Turkey, so watch this space !
Best wishes,
Di,
ABCW team.
I have seen these places too ! It's true the ruins are very well preserved not as in Greece !
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting. I have seen it in Greece. Amazing that all those ruins are preserved so well.Thanks for this post, Di!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit to my blog. The book by Edith Holden is unique and so beautifully written. I hope you'll get to read it again.
Have a great week.
Wil, ABCW Team.
I visited a long time ago but we were staying on a nearby Greek island so just went for the day, not enough time. I would like to go back some day.
ReplyDeleteYour travels sound marvelous....thanks for sharing♪ http://lauriekazmierczak.com/eastward-ho/
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see all this.
ReplyDeleteDiana
Hello Gattina:
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you again
The Turkish people are very proud of their heritage, which is understandable, as through the centuries, they have been invaded by several different countries who have left their own particular cultures there.
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Hello Wil, thanks for stopping by and your kind comments.
ReplyDeleteGlad that you enjoyed the post, I've got a lot more to tell when the right letter appears!
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Hi Joy,
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by and your kind comments.
If you ever get the opportunity to take a holiday in Turkey,
I think you would love it.
I'm writing, next week, about another interesting part of Turkey....watch this space!
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Lmkazmierczak:
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you again and thank you for your kind comments.
Turkey is truly a magnificent country, every corner one turns, there is something different to please the eye.
Best wishes,
Di. ABCW team.
Hello Diana:
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by and your comments.
Turkey is a most interesting place, there is so much to see and do. It is steeped in ancient history and culture.
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team
have friends from Turkey. They are very liberal.
ReplyDeleteI can just imagine the thrill after thrill you must've felt on your trip. I did not know that Artemis evolved from another goddess. It's interesting how a "god" moves along with each new primary culture in a place.
ReplyDeleteAnn Chen Jie Xue:
ReplyDeleteHello again, good to hear from you.
Yes, the Turkish people are quite liberal, their life still seems to evolve around the Mosque, and the men are called to prayer about five times per day.
However, not all the women, particularly the younger ones, don't cover up as much as other countries of the Muslim faith.
All this is due to Ataturk, the guy who liberalised the country several years ago.
He changed a lot of things, which are well worth reading about.
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Su-sieee Mac:
ReplyDeleteHi Susie,
Good to hear from you again, and thanks for your comments.
most of our holidays in Turkey have eye opening adventures.
It is amazing about the different deities changed the goddesses names to suit their own culture, must have annoyed those already immersed in their own creed!
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Oh MYYYYY! I would adore getting to go to Ephesus. How I loved your wonderful post and photos. It must have been absolutely amazing to be there!
ReplyDeleteIt looks lovely, Di.
ReplyDeleteHello Marie, lovely to hear from you and thanks you for your kind comments.
ReplyDeleteTurkey is a most wonderful country, in fact it is actually a continent, covering S.E.Europe and Asia Minor.
A most fascinating place, so different from western countries yet still so terribly cultured.
best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Liz: Thanks for dropping by, good to hear from you xx
ReplyDeleteTurkey is a most special place to us. We've had so many wonderful holidays there, travelled all over and there's still places to see!
Love Di xx
ganga cassette is very nice it has a good content and religious content. It was pleasure to read it Ganga Bhakti Sangeet
ReplyDelete