Things To See Around Selcuk

Artemis Temple

This temple is located 400 m from the Selcuk town center. THE TEMPLE OF ARTEMIS which is one of the SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD has spread its fame throughout the world between the years 334-250 B.C. It has been reconstructed seven times due to plunder, earthquakes and fires. It used to be surrounded by immense columns in Ionic order, yet today there is nothing left except an altar The Temple was the first and largest edifice built of marble. A part of the ruins are exhibited in the British Museum in London while the rest is exhibited in the Ephesus Museum in Vienna. The existing temple belongs to the Hellenistic Period. Scientists named it the 'Ephesus Artemis' Ephesians who worshipped like the peoples of Monotheistic religions believed that the power of many gods joined within Artemis. The temple which had a height of 17,65 m in an area of 105X55 m. has 127 columns. The altar is reached after 13 steps. The statues in the temple were chosen among many in contests.


A couple of priests were responsible for the management of the temple. The male organs of these priests and the head priests called Megabysos were gelded. Being a Megabysos was very honorable. Their acolytes were virgins. Another class of priests serving Artemis were the 'Curetes'. According to Mythology, the Curetes were demigods known for their closeness to Zeus. The Curetes stood by Zeus and made noise when he gave birth to Dionysos from his leg so that Hera would not hear: and when Leto was giving birth to Artemis, they stood by her and helped her in the same way. One of the most interesting features of the Temple of Artemis is that it served as a bank. Accepting the valuables offered as gifts at the temple and granting credits from the budget of the temple were duties performed by the Chief priest Megabysos. The Temple of Artemis had some privileges. The most important of these privileges was the right of immunity as long as one stayed in the temple. This led many villains to gather at the temple. There are beliefs that the worship of Artemis, the temple of Artemis and the religious rites were established on the foundation of the bee. The bee is the symbol of Ephesus. This symbol is commonly used in the Ephesus coins and statues.    (accomodation in ephesus temle of artemis ephesus turkey, hotel ephesus hotel selcuk accomodation in selcuk turkey, selcuk hotels hostels, place to stay in selcuk, where to stay in selcuk turkey, where to stay at ephesus selcuk air condition ed hotel, turkish cook in selcuk, selcuk restaurant hotel of selcuk, hitorical places in turkey, stay in selcuk, hostels of turkey, daily tours, excursions, accomodation in selcuk, where to visit in turkey, hotels of turkey free car parking for guests, ephesus tours, selcuk tours, closer to selcuk town, car park for free in selcuk, carpet shops ephesus, divan carpet closer, holiday in turkey at selcuk, ruins of ancient city ephesus, ruins, hotel around kusadasi, hotels, hotel, hostel, hostels, camping, history, culture, cultural tourism, eco tourism in turkey, budget hotel, hotel for backpackers and travellers, travelling turkey, nature, sun, natural, spectecular views, views of selcuk town, accomodate selcuk)