TRAVEL INFO : HISTORICAL RUINS IN TURKEY (2018)

EPHESUS ARCHAELOGICAL MUSEUM

The Ephesus Archaeological Museum, located in the town of Selçuk (near İzmir, Turkey), is a world-class institution that houses the portable treasures found during the excavations of the ancient city of Ephesus.

Unlike the ancient city itself—which is an open-air site of ruins—the museum provides a climate-controlled, curated look at the fine art, jewelry, and religious artifacts that once decorated those famous streets.

The museum's most famous residents are the two colossal statues of the Ephesian Artemis (dating 1st-2nd centuries AD).  The statues are famous for the "protuberances" on the chest, often interpreted as bull testicles, breasts or eggs-all symbols of fertility and abundance.

These are exceptionally well-preserved and show the transition from traditional Anatolian Mother Goddess (Kybele) to the Greek Artemis.

The Terrace House (houses of the rich) are at the ancient site, where you'll see medical tools, cosmetic sets and bronze figurines that reveal how the elite lived.

The Roman Imperial Cult section houses monumental pieces from temples dedicated to Roman Emperors. 

Priappus (Bes) Statuette, a famous, small bronze figure of the god of fertility, known for its exaggerated phallus, found near the city's ancient brother. 

EPHESUS ARCHAELOGICAL SITE

One of the most significant and well-preserved ancient Greek and Roman cities in the Mediterranean. Once a major trade port and the fourth-largest city of the Roman Empire, it now stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers a remarkable glimpse into antiquity through its marble streets and monumental structures.

The site once housed over 12,000 scrolls and served as a monumental tomb for the governor Celsus. 

The Great Theatre: carved into the hillside, this massive amphitheater could seat up to 25,000 spectators. It was used for dramatic performance, political gatherings and even gladiator contests. 

Temple of Hadrian: Located along Curetes Way, this elegant temple features detailed reliefs narrating the mythological origins of the city.

ANTIQUE CITY OF HIERAPOLIS

Located in southwestern Turkey atop the famous white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, the ancient city of Hierapolis (meaning "Holy City") was one of the most important healing and spiritual centers of the Greco-Roman world.

Founded in the 2nd century BCE by the Attalid kings of Pergamon, the city flourished under Roman rule, becoming a massive spa resort where people traveled from across the empire to bathe in its therapeutic thermal waters.

Key Landmarks of Hierapolis

The site is exceptionally well-preserved and offers a look into ancient urban life, spiritual devotion, and engineering:

• The Great Theatre: Built during the reign of Emperor Hadrian (2nd century CE), this is one of Turkey’s most impressive ancient theaters. It could hold up to 15,000 spectators and features an incredibly ornate stage back wall (scaenae frons) decorated with mythological reliefs.
• The Plutonium (Gate to Hell): An ancient shrine dedicated to Pluto (Hades), the god of the underworld. It was built over a natural cave that emitted toxic carbon dioxide gases. Ancient priests would "miraculously" survive the cave (by holding their breath) while small animals tossed inside would instantly die.
• The Northern Necropolis: One of the largest and best-preserved ancient cemeteries in Turkey, stretching for over 2 kilometers. It contains more than 1,200 tombs, including massive sarcophagi, house-shaped tombs, and tumuli.
• Antique Pool (Cleopatra’s Pool): A thermal pool where you can still swim today. It is famous for the submerged Roman columns at the bottom—the result of an earthquake that toppled the surrounding portico into the water.
• Martyrium of St. Philip: An octagonal building located on a hill above the city, believed to be the site where Philip the Apostle was martyred. It remains a major site for Christian pilgrimage.

Hierapolis and Pamukkale are listed as UNESCO World Heritage, The city was essentially an ancient "wellness retreat." Many people who came for cures eventually died there, which explains why the necropolis is so vast.

HIPPODROME

While Hierapolis (the city in your image) had a stadium, the most famous Hippodrome in Turkey is located in Istanbul (formerly Constantinople). Today, this area is known as Sultanahmet Square.

The Center of Byzantine Life
Constructed in its final form by Emperor Constantine the Great in the 4th century, the Hippodrome was a colossal u-shaped arena roughly 450 meters long and 130 meters wide. It was the social, sporting, and political heart of the empire for over 1,000 years:

• Chariot Racing: The main event was chariot racing, where teams named the Blues and Greens competed fiercely.
• Massive Capacity: It could hold an estimated 100,000 spectators, nearly a quarter of the city's population at its peak.
• Political Arena: It was one of the few places where the public could directly address the Emperor. This sometimes led to violence, most notably the Nika Riots in 532 CE, which resulted in the deaths of 30,000 people.

Iconic Landmarks Remaining Today
Though the seating and galleries are gone, the central spine (spina) of the arena still features three major monuments:

Monument	Origin	Historical Significance
Obelisk of Theodosius	Egypt (15th c. BCE)	Carved from pink granite; brought to the city by Emperor Theodosius in 390 CE.
Serpent Column	Delphi, Greece (479 BCE)	Created to celebrate the Greek victory over the Persians; originally featured three snake heads.
Walled Obelisk	Constantinople (10th c. CE)	Originally covered in gilded bronze plates, which were stripped and melted down during the Crusades.

The famous German Fountain, a neo-Byzantine gazebo gifted by Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1901, also stands at the northern end of the square today.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, KL
1/1/2026: 3.13 p.m