Ephesus and Priene

A weekend trip to Izmir, a night on the bus followed by a day of pouring rain! But still it was a trip well worth the effort. Luckily the next day shined bright and dry on us!

First stop, Selcuk St.John's Church! Some believe that he is buried here in Selcuk there is a tomb.

Baptismal font! Yet just behind it was a tomb with an engraving of a wild beast or gargoyle! Still a bit pagan..
This symbol carved into marble appears once again in an Athenian Temple in Pirene...was it the symbol of Christianity, of a co-mingling of religions?

Ephesus!

A weary traveler, just arriving from a long trip to spend a few days in Ephesus and what does he need the most!!! Well just look closely and maybe you can guess?? A woman, a heart and your left foot...Once we found it I must admit it was very extravagant with rooms, a mosaic tiled dining room, a washroom and just behind the public toilets where all essential business was taken care of!!!
Just for laughs!

The library...sigh..two floors and we consider ourselves civilized today..we could take lessons!

Who needs carpets! Amazed at how much is still intact and the colors!

New site, Priene...look carefully! Can find letters engraved in the rocks! Graffitti? Practice writing? who knows...But these were near the church.

Church ruins..right beside the Athenian Temple, Amazing.

and the floors! Thank you mom! She translated the writing...."good kisses!" Hmm some passing stranger to his new sweetheart or to the goddess Athena will we never know! Now brace yourself!

Columns from an Athenian Temple! Words failed me, and I really felt moved! I

Can you see my head near the last column? Someone really wanted to please Athena..

It could be seen from all over the city, a city which had a remarkable sewage system, covered on the side of the streets, leading all the way down to sea. Beautiful staircases leading to side streets where nobles lived, the floor plans readily viewable. An amphitheatre, a temple for Hygenia (or was that the wife), a gymnasium, a church, a square, market place, Greek writing visible on tablets, seats, tiny but immaculate writing! We spent over two hours just wandering around amazed..

Any ideas what these symbols stand for?? These were also on the temple floor.

Street with sewage system showing.

Sitting in the amphitheatre in the best seat in the house! Arm rests had carvings that fit right in the palm of your hand...luxury! It's good to be a senator! Assume that they sprawled as well!

Surrounding countryside which used to be water.

Fini!