August 2008 - the Parklander

80 AUGUST 2008
TRAVEL INFORMATION
HIGHLIGHTS continued from page 79
House of the Virgin Mary
At Ephesus, the Arcadian Way is the long road that once led from the
port to the theater. It was paved wsith polished marble slabs, and lined
with porticos on both sides. As you follow this road, the extent of the
excavations will amaze you.
The great theater is cut into the western slope of Mt. Pion. Begun by the
Greeks, it was completed by the Romans under the Emperor Trajan in
the 1st century A.D. The acoustics are so remarkable that a tiny sound
will be heard without amplification from the stage area to the very top of
the seating area. Concerts are held in the theater now, and it is a rare
treat to attend one.
Ephesus is so rich with remnants of the ancient past, that it is impossible
to cite them all in this brief space, but mention must be made of the
Archaeological Museum of Ephesus, located just outside the site. This
building contains 1st century A.D. wall paintings, Roman statues,
fragments of buildings and sculptures from the city’s various historical
periods, and a fine bust of the great philosopher, Socrates. There are
several ancient statues of the goddess Artemis in the museum, but the
star of the collection is a copy of the famous, colossal 2nd century B.C.
statue of the goddess Artemis, whose many breasts personify fertility.
An official Catholic pilgrimage site is also nearby.This is a small church
known as the House of the Virgin Mary, where it is believed the Virgin
Mary spent her final days. There are also buildings associated with St.
Paul, who lived in Ephesus for three years, and St. John, who stayed in
the town on two separate occasions, and is believed to have composed
his gospel there.
A trip to Kusadasi and Ephesus should prove to be a very rewarding
experience for anyone seeking, new territory to explore, where beauty,
history, art and culture abound. This is an area geared for tourism, and
travelers can choose among a multiplicity of opportunities for a
wonderful holiday.
Dr. Yvette Jayson Sencer is an art historian, lecturer and writer. She
travels the world, lecturing about art and architecture. Email her at
sencer@theparklander.com.