Incredible Visit to Ephesus Archaeological site with Viking Cruise

Author: Janice Vazquez | Last updated: February 16, 2024

Ephesus archaeological site with mountains in the background — *View of Celsus Library and Commercial Marketplace*

On the 5th day of the 10-day Viking Greek Odyssey Cruise, I reached Ephesus, Turkey. I booked the complimentary shore excursion known as A Gentle Journey into the Ancient World. In this article, you’ll learn what to expect when visiting the Ephesus Archaeological Site with a Viking Cruise tour guide.

Driving to Ephesus Archaeological Site

At the Kusadasi Port, I boarded a motor coach and sat in the back row. Once the motor coach was full, the bus driver began to drive to Ephesus Archaeological Site. On the way there, the tour guide gave us an overview of what to expect. The tour guide explained that Ephesus Archaeological Site is one of the largest and best-preserved ancient Greek cities in the world. Back in the day, it was once a bustling port city and the capital of the Roman province of Asia, with a population of over 250,000 people at its peak. The site contains an impressive collection of well-preserved ruins, including the Library of Celsius, the Great Theater, and the Temple of Hadrian.

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Ephesus Archaeological site

The bus driver dropped me off in a parking lot. I walked ahead and saw there were gift shops selling souvenirs. Then, I walked through a gate to enter the Ephesus Archaeological Site. Upon entering, there was a beautiful lining of trees along a cobblestone road. On the left-hand side, I could see the Great Theater.

Harbour Street

The pathway from the Great Theater and the Middle Harbour Gate — *Harbour Street where Mark Antony and Cleopatra entered Ephesus when they visited in 41 BC*

As I continued to walk along the well-paved cobblestone road, I saw Harbour Street, which was built by Byzantine Emperor Arcadium. The street linked the Great Theater and the Middle Harbour Gate and used to be filled with shops selling imported goods.

Tetragonos Agora (Commercial Marketplace)

Stone steps leading two stone columns in the foreground and stone walls in the background — *An example of a shop’s store front*

Three slabs of stone with carvings depicting a vase, two animals, and a leaf — *Tablets used to advertise the storefronts*

On our second stop, I saw the ruins of the Tetragonos Agora, translated to Commercial marketplace. The columns and partial reconstruction of the stone walls depict where the shops were located. The stores were two stories, the first floor was where the merchants would sell the food and the second floor was used for storage.

The Celsus Library

Two story building made of white colored stones, double columns, and open windows — *Celsus Library Facade*

Ceiling and Columns of Celsus Library at the Ephesus Archaeological Site — *Intricate details of Celsus Library’s Facade*

On our third stop, we headed off to my favorite place in the archaeological site, the Celsus Library. It is a testament to Roman architecture’s grandeur with an impressive facade; two levels of columns with ornate carvings and sculptures. This magnificent structure was built in the 2nd century AD and served as a repository of knowledge, housing thousands of scrolls and books.

People walking inside the Celsus Library — *Back of Celsus Library Facade*

A man standing in front of a two story stone wall, the first floor has rectangle blocks of stone and second layer has thin red bricks — *Julius standing inside the Celsus Library*

I enjoyed exploring the interior of the library, which included a small exhibition area showcasing artifacts during the restoration project.

The Temple of Hadrian

On our fourth stop, I saw the Temple of Hadrian, which was a small, temple-like monument honoring Emperor Hadrian. Around A.D. 300, the statues of the emperors Diocletian, Constantius Maximianus, and Theodosius I were erected.

Marble Street

The pathway from the Celsus Library to the Ampitheatre, known as the Marble Road located at Ephesus Archaeological Site — *Marble Road – The pathway from the Celsus Library to the Great Theater*

stone carvings of a heart, bird, princess, and left foot — *Advertisement for the Brothel*

On our fifth stop, I walked on Marble Street, which connects the Celsus Library to the Great Theater. On the marble road, I saw stone carvings of a heart, bird, princess, and left foot that were believed to be an advertisement for the Brothel. The idea is that the footprint shows where one should turn at that point; the woman’s head symbolizes the women waiting in the Brothel, while the heart shows that the women are eager for love. It was interpreted to mean that if you wished to make love and fly like a bird with a beautiful girl, then you should head left to the Brothel.

The Great Theater

Each successive row of stones is positioned higher than the one in front. These rows are in a semi-circle and open face to the photographer which can be seen in ephesus archaeological site — *Landscape view of the Great Theater*

Our last stop was the Great Theater, which is a magnificent theater made of marble that could accommodate up to 25,000 spectators. The size of the theater symbolized Ephesus’s prominence and wealth, reflecting the city’s influential status as cultural and political hub in the ancient world. The theater served as a venue for various forms of entertainment, including theatrical performances, social gatherings, gladiatorial contests, and political meetings.

Performance

13 people in ancient Rome clothing posing in front of the stage in ephesus archaeological site — *Performers posing in the main plaza*

After the Great Theater, I headed back towards the entrance. I stopped at the main plaza area where a crowd was gathering to watch a free performance. I could feel the excitement in the air. But then I overheard that the sound system had not been set up, so the performers were going to come out and let us take pictures of them.

12 people in ancient Rome clothing with two ladies in dresses dancing in front of the stage — *Performers performing at the main plaza*

Though, once they all came out, sounds began blaring from the speakers. The performers walked back uphill and waited at the top of the hill. A minute later, music began to play from the speakers and the performers began to descend. The performance showed a battle between two soldiers with the king and queen looking onward. It was fun to watch.

The Adventure Continues…

After the show, we walked back to the main entrance. I shopped around for souvenirs for a few minutes before the tour guide motioned us to go back on the motor coach. As I was heading back to the bus, I saw my brother running towards me. He said he found a taxi driver by the entrance to drive our family around to see the other attractions in the Selcuk region.

In the afternoon, we visited the Basilica of St. John & Castle of Ayasoluk, Ephesus Archaeological Museum, Temple of Artemis, and the House of Virgin Mary. Continue to follow our adventure in Turkey by clicking on the related posts below.