Kusadasi is one of the most popular destinations for holidaymakers in Turkey. It is situated on the southern Aegean Coast between Izmir and Aydin cities. Kusadasi has reputy as one of the most beautiful and historically rich cities of the Aegaen coast. Around the city you can find a lot of historical places of interest like: Ephesus Amphitheater, Temple of Artemis, House of Virgin Mary, Seven Sleepers, Didyma, Priene, Miletos.
Kusadasi Holiday Destination
Kusadasi has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters, that provides a long tourism season. The city has 300 sunny days a year.
Kusadasi is located in a superb gulf in the Aegean Region of Turkey and means “Bird Island”. This pretty town attracts thousands of travelers from all over the world. It has golden sandy beaches, sparkling water of blue Aegean Sea, a lot of night life facilities, big ammount of bars and restaurants, shopping centers, historic sites around etc.
Kusadasi has a residential population of 50,000 people that grows to over half a million during the high season in summer. The hills of the city are built up with big hotels and residences with holiday flats.
Places of Interest:
Temple of Artemis Ephesus’ Temple of Artemis was dedicated to the goddess of the hunt, it was considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Nowadays only the foundation of the temple and one column remains,which was measured 425 ft long, 220 ft wide and 60 ft high.
Ephesus Theater:
This antique theater was built in the Hellenistic period, originally holds 25,000 people. Designed for theatrical performances, later alterations allowed gladiatorial contests to be held here. Today, it welcomes artists from all over the world for unforgettable concerts (Elton John, Sting, The Scorpions, Joan Baez etc.) operas and ballet.
House of Virgin Mary 9 km ahead of Ephesus Theater, the Virgin Mary House is located in a charming atmosphere, hidden in the green. This is the place where Maryis said to have spent her last days. Indeed, she may have come to this area together with Saint John, who spent several years here to spread Christianity to the people. The house is a typical Roman architectural example, entirely made of stones. In the 4th century AD, a church, combining her house and grave, has been built.
The Seven Sleepers:
The story says that during the persecution of Christians (AD 250) under the Roman emperor Decius, seven Christian soldiers were concealed near their native city of Ephesus in a cave to which the entry was later sealed. There, having protected themselves from being forced to do sacrifices, they fell into a miraculous sleep. During the reign (AD 408–450) of the Eastern Roman emperor Theodosius II, the cave was reopened, and the Sleepers awoke. The emperor was moved by their miraculous presence and by their witness to their Christian doctrine of the body’s resurrection. Having explained the profound meaning of their experience, the Seven died, whereupon Theodosius ordered their remains to be richly enshrined; and he absolved all bishops who had been persecuted for believing in the Resurrection.
