Ephesus, Turkey 

I arrived in Selçuk, Turkey, the modern gateway to Ephesus, a city I had long wanted to explore. My host at the guesthouse suggested a three-hour tour, but I laughed knowing I’d spend far longer. I chose to walk alone along a peaceful countryside path, passing olive groves and rolling fields, building anticipation for what lay ahead.

Founded by Ionian Greeks in the 10th century BCE, Ephesus reached its peak under Roman rule after becoming part of the Roman province of Asia in 133 BCE. It grew into the empire’s most important commercial center in the eastern Mediterranean. Under Augustus, it became the capital of Asia Minor. At its height, Ephesus may have had a population of over 250,000, making it one of the largest cities of the Roman world.

The city was famous for the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Though only fragments remain, its past grandeur is still felt.

Walking the marble streets, I explored the monumental Library of Celsus, built in 117 CE as a tomb and library for the Roman senator Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus. The Great Theatre, dating from the Hellenistic period but expanded by the Romans, held an astounding 25,000 people for plays, gladiator contests, and public events. The Gate of Augustusand the Curetes Way, lined with statues, fountains, and mosaics, revealed the scale and sophistication of Roman urban life.

Ephesus was also an early center of Christianity. The apostle Paul preached here, and it is traditionally believed that the Virgin Mary spent her last days nearby.

As I explored, I was struck by the sheer scale and layered history of Ephesus—from Hellenistic foundations to towering Roman imperial architecture. Each structure stood as a reminder of how the Romans blended practicality with grand civic beauty.

I ended my visit at the site of the Temple of Artemis. Today, only a single column remains standing, surrounded by the echoes of a once-mighty civilization. Ephesus was not just a highlight of my trip; it felt like stepping directly into the heart of the Roman Empire itself.

David C. Hill Photography