The Private Ephesus Bible Study Tour

The Private Ephesus Bible Study Tour

Duration: 6 Hrs.
Departure: Kusadasi Port or Hotel
Visiting: The House of Virgin Mary, Ephesus with Church of  Virgin Mary and Basilica of St. John
Tour languages: English-Spanish-German-French-Italian-Portuguese-Dutch-Russian-Greek-Japanese

This tour is an Ephesus visit included The Church of Virgin Mary, The House of Virgin Mary (the pilgrim center) and St. John Basilica (the tomb of St John).

After meeting your private guide at Kuşadası Port or Hotel, you will enjoy a scenic 40 minutes drive to the House of Virgin Mary which was accepted as a pilgrim center by Pope Paul VI in 1967. The Pope declared “She might spent her last days here.”

You feel the holy time spending almost an hour in the site.

After visiting the House of Virgin Mary, it takes 5 min. to the upper gate of Ephesus and the itenirary is going to continue with the ancient city. While you are walking downhill with your guide, your private driver is going to wait for you at the lower gate.

It will take 2 hours to visit the Ancient city.

Before entering to the ancient site, you will have an opportunity to spend a short time at the upper souvenir area. You will have pretty more time at the lower souvenir area.

Following an expert historian guide around the central streets of Ephesus, you are going to see marble buildings which dates back to between 1^st  and 7^th  century AD.

The only ruin which dates back to 3^rd  century BC is the Great Theatre which is also very important for Christianity. Because it is the holy place where Saint Paul the Apostle preach to Ephesians. Ephesus became one of the Seven Churches of Anatolia ( Asia Minor) after St. Paul preached to Ephesians. A very famous story is told about this in the Holy Bible in St Paul’s part. (Act 19:21) The Riot in Ephesus

Passing through the Magnesian Gate, you are going to see business, governmental buildings and a collonaded Augustus Basilica at the State Agora.

You will see fish prints and games called “ICTHUS” related to a Christian symbol at the State Agora.

While walking in the main streets your guide is going to give general information and history about fountain decorations, releifs and very famous Temples of Emperor Domitian, Emperor Trajan and Emperor Hadrian.

Passing through the Hercules Gate, you are going to see Celsus Library, the 3^rd richest library in the ancient times after Alexandria’s and Pergamum’s, consisted more than 12.000 scroll books.

Terrace Houses are a unique ancient place in the World Heritage List of UNESCO situated on the slopes of the Bülbül (Coressus) Mountain. They were the residences of the wealthy Ephesians. Including frescos, mosaics and individual heating system, each corner of Terrace Houses gives an idea about Ephesians’ luxurious life style.There are 80 steps from the entrance to the upper exit.

Terrace Houses has a separate entrance fee within the borders of the archaeological site.

If you are interested in visiting inside of them, it is recommended to choose a tour with Terrace Houses. Please ask for information.

After seeing the Great Theatre, on the way to the exit from the pine trees way, you will take the enterance road to The Church of the Virgin Mary. The 3^rd Ecumenical Council was held here in Ephesus in 431, under Emperor Theodosisus II, grandson of Theodosius the Great. Approximately 200 Bishops attended the meeting here.

Approaching the exit of the ancient city restrooms and shops are available at the souvenir area.

Your guide is going to recommend you a local restorant for lunch.

Then the itenirary will continue with The Basilica of St John (The Evangelist) dated to 6^th Century AD. You are going to see his original sacred tomb, baptisim hall, frescoes belong to Byzantian Emperor Justinian I, his wife Theodora and St John.

Your guide will also give you information about St. John’s life in Ephesus.

Your guide will also tell you about his exile to Patmos and the letters he wrote to Ephesians from there.

You will also spend time at the obresvation area that provides a wonderful view of the Meander ( Ancient Cayster) River, Isa Bey Mosque, The Artemisium, Mt. Pion and Mt. Coressus. A topographical map of the Ephesus Region has been erected that shows the different city locations and silted up layers of the Ephesus Harbour. ( Duration is 30 min.)

Your guide will also give information about traditional attractions during your visit.

Kuşadası and its enviroment are seasonal and easy-going places. And the attractions are almost 5 min close to each other, by car.

So, visitors have an enjoyable time when they visit traditional art centres as a weaving course and a ceramic art.

The tour finishes at Kuşadası.