Visiting Temple of Artemis at Ephesus in Selcuk, Turkey

Author: Janice Vazquez | Last updated: February 14, 2024

Ruins of the Temple of Artemis and a single column depicting where the Temple was located — *Temple of Artemis*

The Temple of Artemis was an ancient Greek temple located in the city of Ephesus near present-day Selcuk, Turkey. Considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the temple was dedicated to Artemis, the Greek goddess of hunting, wild nature, and fertility. The temple was adorned with intricate sculptures and artworks, showcasing the wealth and craftsmanship of the region.

Selcuk is an incredible city to visit in Turkey due to its proximity to the most popular attractions in Turkey. The attractions include the Ephesus Archaeological Site, Ephesus Archaeological Museum, Basilica of St. John & Castle of Ayasuluk, and House of Virgin Mary. In this article, I’ll share my experience visiting the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus in Selcuk, Turkey.

Temple of Artemis

During my visit to the Temple of Artemis, our taxi driver dropped us off in the parking lot. There were a few vendors selling books of before and after photos of Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis. One vendor showed us the entire book and asked if we wanted to purchase it, but we politely declined.

Archaeological Site

When I walked towards the archaeological site, I saw a few fragments and a single reconstructed column, providing a glimpse into the former grandeur of this ancient wonder.

A girl in black standing in front of the remaining stone fragments at the temple of artemis in ephesus turkey — *Janice standing in front the plaza*

A single reconstructed column depicting where temple of artemis used to be — *Julius standing next to Temple of Artemis*

I took a few pictures of the column, then walked up on the nearby hill to get a landscape view of the archaeological site. From the hill, I imagined what the Temple of Artemis was like. I thought about the pilgrims and worshippers visiting the temple to pay homage to Artemis, seeking blessings, protection, and divine favor. I also imagined what it used to look like based off the model at the Ephesus Museum.

A small white building with intricate details on the roof, steps, and columns — *Front View of the Temple of Artemis*

A small white building with intricate details on the roof, steps, and a row of columns — *Side View of the Temple of Artemis*

After 20 minutes of exploring the archaeological site, we left and headed for the House of Virgin Mary.

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