About Izmir, Selcuk

SELCUK

Selçuk is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Turkey, due to its close proximity to the ancient city Ephesus, Isa Bey Mosque, the House of the Virgin Mary and St Johns Basilica. Since the town is used as a stopping point for further travel, the actual town remains relatively undisturbed and undeveloped, retaining Turkish tradition and culture. The name originates from the Turkish tribes that settled in the area in the 12th century.

Selçuk hosts many festivals throughout the year, the most famous being Camel Wrestling, Oil Wrestling and the Efes Festival. The beach of “Pamucak” is also of interest, 9km away from the town. Also, Aqua fantasy and Adaland are two of Europe’s biggest water parks and well worth a visit.

IZMIR
Izmir is the third-largest city in Turkey, with the second-largest port and a very modern setting in comparison to other cultural centres in Turkey. Izmir is regarded as one of the most progressive cities in Turkey. The region of Izmir incorporates nearby ancient cities; Ephesus, Pergamon, Sardis, Kusadasi, Cesmi and Foca.....more info

EPHESUS
Ephesus is probably the best-preserved city in the eastern Mediterranean, with only an estimated 15% being excavated. The city hosted one of the seven churches of Asia as addressed in the Bible and it is thought that the Gospel of John was written here. It is also a graveyard of a large number of gladiators. Ephesus Tours are one of the most popular in the region.... more info

ST JOHNS BASILICA
This Basilica was built in the 6th century AD, under the orders of Emperor Justinian I. It is thought that the Basilica is built over the burial site of St John, also known as the apostle, evangelist and prophet. This fact made the site sacred and was the place for many pilgrimages.....more info

ISABEY MOSQUE
The IsaBey Mosque was constructed in 1375 and is one of the oldest and most impressive works of architecture remaining from the Anatolian times. It sits at the foot of the Ayasuluk Hill between the Saint-Jean Church and the remains of the Temple of Artemis.....more info

GROTTO OF THE SEVEN SLEEPERS
The Grotto of the Seven Sleepers is located on Mount Pion, near Ephesus and is the site of many different religious myths.....more info

VIRGIN MARY’S HOUSE
The house of the Virgin Mary, known in Turkish as Meryemana, is believed to be the place she was brought to by St John at the end of her life. It is located on top of Bulbul Mountain and also offers great views of the town.....more info

CESME
Cesme is located on the west coast of Turkey, in the province of Izmir. It is town that thrives on tourists and is well known for its clubs, beaches, restaurants, boat trips and easy access to the Greek island of Chios. The scenery is strewn with fields of aniseed, sesame, artichokes and fig and gum trees.....more info

PERGAMON
Pergamon is located near the modern city Bergama, most famous as the home of Asclepion. The success of the city is owed to Lysimachus, one of Alexander the Greats generals.....more info

SARDIS
Sardis was once the capital of the ancient kingdom Lydia, which was one of the most important cities in the Persian Empire. Sardis was greatly important due to its military strength, location on the Aegean coast and its fertile plains.....more info

FOCA
The town of Foca is located northwest of Izmir and also has a town called Yenifoca, meaning ‘new Foca’. For this reason, it is often referred to as Eskifoca, meaning ‘the old Foca’. Foca stretches along two bays, one large one and a smaller cove within the large bay.....more info

SIRINCE
Sirince is located a short distance from Selcuk, amidst grapevines, peach and apple orchards. Sirince means pretty and is an old Orthodox village, with stone and stucco houses, with red-tiled roofs, representing a typical depiction of Turk-Greek culture.....more info

PRIENE
Priene was an important city in the ancient Greek Ionian times, around 300 BC. It is thought that the Ionians held congress and festivals in Priene. However, since it was not of as much importance as Miletus, the Hellenistic buildings did not get covered by Roman ones.....more info

MILETUS
Miletus is south of Kusadasi and home to much less frequently visited ancient ruins. Although accurate settlement dates are unknown due to rising sea levels, there are still magnificent ruins of a theatre. The theatre was constructed during the Hellenistic period, in the 1st-century AD.....more info

DIDYMA
Didyma was an ancient Greek - Iodian sanctuary and cult centre for the city of Miletus. It is located about 15 kilometres from Miletus and in ancient times was connected by a ‘sacred way’, lined with statues.....more info