Well-preserved ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus (photos)

The ruins of the city of Ephesus, located on the southern coast of Turkey, are the largest archaeological monument in Asia Minor, containing the heritage of the ancient Greeks and Romans. The antique monument is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

In ancient times, the antique city that was built here developed and became rich thanks to trade in the Aegean Sea. Ephesus was under the control of the Hittites, Lydians, Persians, Macedonian and Roman empires at different times. It was one of the major cities of Byzantium in the 5th-6th centuries.

According to reports, the city was destroyed by an earthquake in the 7th century. Later, the water of the bay recedes, and the sea water recedes up to 6 km from the city. As a result, Ephesus, which gradually “died”, became completely desolate.

One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis, the Library of Celsus, the Roman Theater and many other architectural structures were located here. Most of the surviving buildings are made of stone.

The ruins of Ephesus are located 1 hour away from Izmir (60-70 km south). Despite the off-season, many tourists visit these monuments even in winter. A Kun.uz correspondent who returned from Turkey presents a photo collection from the ancient city.