R. Doug Wicker's Blog, page 119

54 Days at Sea — Ephesus; St. John Basilica

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Basilica of St. John

About 1.5 miles/2.4 kilometers east northeast of ancient Ephesus, Turkey stand the ruins of a basilica built in the 6th century by Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian I. By all historical accounts, it was quite a structure. It was known as the Basilica of St. John.

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The Church of St. John

But today not a lot remains.

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Basilica of St. John

However, this ancient church site has something no other church in the world possesses. Legend has it that the basilica was built over the to...

Fun Photo Friday — 54 Days at Sea; More Ephesus images

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Ephesus from Above

Next week we’ll remain in the Ephesus area, but moving on to nearby sights. On Monday we’ll visit St. John Basilica and the House of Mary. Until then, here are some Ephesus favorites:

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Ephesus Arch

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Arcadian Street

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A Lonely Ephesus Column

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Celsus Library

Obvious? Yes.

Obvious? Yes. But I simply could not resist the pun:

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54 Days at Sea — Ephesus terrace house mosaics

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Ephesus terrace house fresco

With the exception of the wall fresco above, today’s article will feature the intricate and beautiful mosaics decorating the terrace houses of Ephesus, Turkey.

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Ephesus terrace house mosaics

Many of the mosaics here mimic a decorative carpet when seen from a distance.

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Ephesus terrace house mosaics

It is only as you get closer that their true composition becomes evident.

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Ephesus terrace house mosaics

The floors are not, however, the only exquisite examples of mosaic...

54 Days at Sea — Ephesus terrace houses

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Ephesus Terrace House

For a look at how the rich lived in Ephesus, all you need do is visit one of several terrace houses that have been undergoing excavation and restoration since 1960. Two are complete, and others are undergoing active restoration.

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Ephesus Terrace House undergoing restoration

These structures are quite impressive, with peristyle courtyards and grand arched ceilings.

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Ephesus Terrace House

A translucent structure protects the terrace house below as it undergoes restoration.

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E...

Fun Photo Friday — 54 Days at Sea; Ephesus Street Scenes

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Meeting at the Library

Street photography is fun.  But street photography that mixes ancient ruins with modern tourists is a blast:

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Harbour Street

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In Formation

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Rush Hour at the Forum

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Ephesus Columns

54 Days at Sea — Ephesus Architecture Part 2

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Ephesus Amphitheater and columns lining Harbour Street

Above you’ll see a photograph of the 24,000-seat Ephesus Amphitheater, and running along the front of the image is the column-lined Harbour Street. Harbour Street (also Arcadian Street) linked the main city to the natural harbor and existed for most of the city’s existence. But, this is no longer the case. Erosion of the cultivated land and river silt from the Küçükmenderes River filled the natural harbor. Today, the harbor is filled, the...

54 Days at Sea — Ephesus Architecture Part 1

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Ephesus, Turkey

Last week I gave you a little of the history of Ephesus, and described some of the buildings you’ll see in this fascinating destination. This week I’m going to concentrate on architectural details and other fun photo opportunities. As such, there is not much need for words. So, without further adieu, here we go:

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Ephesus, Turkey

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Ephesus, Turkey

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Ephesus, Turkey

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Ephesus, Turkey

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Ephesus, Turkey

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Ephesus, Turkey

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Ephesus, Turkey

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Ephesus, Turkey

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Ephesus, Turkey

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Ephesus, Turkey

Fun Photo Friday — 54 Days at Sea; Ephesus Favorites

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Library of Celsus

Today’s Ephesus photo gallery and slide show:

54 Days at Sea — Arriving Ephesus, Turkey

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Ephesus, Turkey

Today and over the next two weeks I’ll be taking you on a journey back into time, for the history of Ephesus is a history that predates the Greek Empire, extends through the Persian Empire, the Roman Empire, and continued on through the Byzantine (Eastern Roman) Empire well into the Ottoman Empire. Indeed, the area in and around Ephesus was first inhabited by Greek Attica and Ionian colonists in the 10th century B.C., and wasn’t abandoned until the 15th century A.D.

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Ephesus, T...