Ephasus...Day Out!

So...I got a kick out of this sign when we walked up to Ephasus. We headed to Izmir for the weekend because Joseph's dad was flying out. Izmir is about 4 hours north of Marmaris. It was a great trip because we had some interesting detours planned.

Ephesus was an ancient Greek city on the coast of Ionia, three kilometers southwest of present-day Selçuk in İzmir Province, Turkey. It was an amazing agricultural site to see. Now we have seen many different sites and to the date Delphi in Greece was my favorite. Ephesus is the biggest site I have ever seen. We had a great tour guide who shared so much knowledge with us. We spent about four hours exploring the site. 

Our tour guide told us that if you touch both sides of the statures at the entrance of the city that you will have good fortune. So of course we took full advantage of it!

These were the original toilets in the city. Could you imagine sitting that close to another person while doing your business! OMG!!!

This is the most magnificent structure in Ephesus ancient city. The Great Theatre is located on the slope of Panayir Hill, opposite the Harbor Street, and easily seen when entering from the south entrance to Ephesus. It was first constructed in the Hellenistic Period, in the third century BC during the reign of Lysimachos, but then during the Roman Period, it was enlarged and formed its current style that is seen today.
It is the largest in Anatolia and has the capacity of 25,000 seats. The cavea has sixty six rows of seats, divided by two diazoma (walkway between seats) into three horizontal sections. There are three sections of seats. In the lower section, Marble pieces, used for restoration, and the Emperor's Box were found. The seats with backs ,made of marble, were reserved for important people. The audience entered from the upper cavea.
The stage building is three-storied and 18 meters high. The facade facing the audience was ornamented with relieves, columns with niches, windows and statues. There are five doors opening to the orchestra area, the middle one of which is wider than the rest. This enhanced the appearance of the stage, giving it a bigger, monumental look.
The theatre was used not only for concerts and plays, but also for religious, political and philosophical discussions and for gladiator and animal fights.

Aparently, Elton John, Tom Jones and Pavorotti all played here. It was a spectacular site.

                                     Feeling silly at the end of our tour...it was a great day!