Turkey Day 3
On our last morning in Cappadocia, we hiked all the way up to the mountain near our hotel. The view, bathed in the soft yellow hue of the sunrise, looked like an oil painting come to life. The landscape was so vivid and serene, it felt as though we had been drawn right into the scene, becoming part of the breathtaking canvas before us. It was a perfect, unforgettable way to say goodbye to this magical place.
After a short flight and drive, we arrived our 2nd stop in Turkey, Ephesus. Founded around the 10th century BC, is over 3,000 years old Ephesus was a major center of trade and culture, particularly under the Lydians and Romans. Key landmarks, such as the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, were built around 550 BC, while the grand Library of Celsus dates back to 114-117 AD. Saint John is believed to have written the Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation while living in Ephesus after the death of Jesus. The Basilica of Saint John, built over his tomb, marks the site where he is thought to have been buried. Additionally, the House of the Virgin Mary, located near Ephesus, is believed to be the place where Mary, the mother of Jesus, spent her final years. Ephesus holds immense biblical significance, with both Saint John’s ministry and Mary’s presence here playing key roles in early Christianity. We were truly amazed by the luxurious and well-designed lifestyle that people enjoyed over 3,000 years ago in Ephesus. It was incredible to imagine how the people of that time lived, worked, and thrived in such a vibrant, well-planned city, with advanced architecture, public spaces, and cultural richness and even toilet system that still astound us today.