What is there in the city of Izmir and its surroundings? We take a look to visit around Izmir and learn their secret.
Ephesus
Ephesus is an ancient city which is located 70 km from the center of the city of Izmir. We can do a 1 day or half day excursion so it is possible from Izmir city.
The best-preserved ancient city in the eastern Mediterranean. Ephesus is essential to represent Greco-Roman life. During its heyday, this grandiose capital of the Roman province of Asia had over 250,000 inhabitants. Cybele, Anatolian goddess of Fertility assimilated to Artemis, was worshiped there, for whom a huge temple was built, which later became one of the Seven Wonders of the World. We can also see the cave of Seven Sleepers. At the same time, we are going to discover His Fountains of the Emperors, His Celsius library, His great theater.
Possibility of doing: 1 day, ½ day, with a meal or without a meal.
The duration of the visit to Ephesus: approximately 3 hours.
Within the site of Ephesus, there is a possibility to visit the part of the Greco-Roman houses also for the special group.
Around ; there is a museum in Selcuk to see the remains, the statues that were in the Ephesus site.
SIRINCE
Perched high in the rolling hills of the hinterland, amid groves and wild orchards, this picturesque village is distinguished by a set of pretty stone and stucco houses. It is said that the village was populated by freed Greek slaves in the 15th century; they would have called it Çirkince (ugliness) to dissuade anyone from joining them. When the Turkish Republic was founded in the 1920s, the town was renamed with the more flattering name of Sirince (charm).
At the beginning of the years 1923-1924, the 2 countries (Turkey and Greece) obligatorily changed the inhabitants. That’s why now the 2 different cultures are mixed at the same point.
Possibility of doing: 1 day, ½ day, with the meal, without meal
Duration of visit: Plus at least 2-3 hours.
In the village: possibility of going for a walk. We can also visit 2 different leaky churches built by the Greek Catholics. You can also taste its local wine which is flavored with local fruits in the bar-and-wine. You can find local handmade products.
The travel route: 80 km from Izmir city.
House of St. Virgin mary
According to believers, Mary would have come to Ephesus with John towards the end of her life (37-45). With the imagination of the German nun Catherina Emmerich had visions of the Virgin at Ephesus. Thanks to his indications, the clergy of Izmir discovered the foundations of a house on the wooded slopes of Mount Coressos, not far from Ephesus. During a visit in 1967, Pope Paul VI “unofficially” authenticated the site, which soon became a place of pilgrimage.
In 1 day or half a day it is doable.
Possibility of participating in mass.
The road distance is 88 km from the city center