Sacred Way of Artemis

01A MAGNIFICENT JOURNEY THROUGH THE RICH GEOGRAPHY OF EPHESUS…

In antiquity the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the world, drew a great many visitors from the surrounding lands to the Ephesus region. A region that has always kept its appeal, not only in antiquity, it has been home to many civilizations, and for this reason many roads were built from the surrounding cities to the Temple of Artemis and Ephesus.

Because Christians visiting the House of the Virgin Mary or the Basilica of St. John and his tomb used this road until fairly recent times, local people also came to call it the “gavur yolu” (the infidels’ road). The section of our route cut through the rock is known to locals today as the “kral yolu” (the king’s road).

Originally used by people on foot, these roads were widened over time, their routes were altered accordingly and they were adapted for carts drawn by animals. In recent times, as motor vehicles spread, asphalt roads have covered every corner, and these old roads, which witnessed who knows how many important events, were gradually forgotten and buried in the pages of history.

One of the most important of these impressive roads is the one running between the Temple of Artemis and the Ancient City of Ephesus, known as the Via Sacra Artemis, or the Sacred Way of Artemis. The Sacred Way of Artemis, which the Ephesians walked every year on 5 May, accompanied by priests, to celebrate the birth of Artemis, inspired the name of our route. The 30 km ancient road, used by those coming to the temple from the southeast of the Ancient City of Ephesus, took its final form after long research initiated by Özgür Aydoğan and dozens of exploratory walks. The walk, which ends at the Ancient City of Magnesia, can be done with camping or as day hikes.

The Sacred Way of Artemis generously offers its guests all the beauty of a unique landscape. Walking the route, you will be taking not just a nature walk but also an incredible journey into the ancient world. On this route, where you can observe wildlife, soak up the greenery and take in the colors of nature, you will have the chance to make an unforgettable journey into the ancient world.

02ABOUT THE ROUTE

If you have the right gear and have gained enough experience from similar activities to complete the walk, a fun adventure awaits you. Although the trail is waymarked, setting out without a guide if you do not meet these requirements may put your safety and that of your walk at risk. Along the roughly 32 km route you will follow an old highway, tractor tracks, footpaths, a caravan road, a streambed and paths covered in dense greenery. Running at altitudes of 9 to 278 meters, the route is generally flat and runs almost parallel to the İzmir – Aydın highway.

03WHAT WILL YOU SEE ALONG THE SACRED WAY OF ARTEMIS?

1. Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the World)Latitude: 37°56’58.94″N / Longitude: 27°21’49.88″E
2. Tomb from the Aydınoğulları Beylik Period37°56’55.97″N / 27°21’47.19″E
3. Seven Sleepers (Ashab-ı Kehf)37°56’37.61″N / 27°21’13.32″E
4. Ancient City of Ephesus (Upper Gate)37°56’8.48″N / 27°20’44.10″E
5. Ancient settlement road37°56’37.45″N / 27°21’14.25″E
6. Çukuriçi Mound
7. Human Figure in Relief37°55’34.25″N / 27°21’5.91″E
8. Ortygia Aqueduct (Roman Period)37°55’12.76″N / 27°20’57.48″E
9. Storage Building from the Aydınoğulları Period37°55’25.29″N / 27°21’31.39″E
10. Acarlar Village37°54’55.80″N / 27°21’47.44″E
11. Marnas Valley – Marnas Stream – Pollio Aqueduct37°54’0.37″N / 27°22’6.45″E
12. Old and new railway – Çamlık Village37°53’8.14″N / 27°22’54.77″E
13. Çamlık Locomotive Museum37°53’7.92″N / 27°22’49.28″E
14. Çamlık Atatürk House37°53’9.89″N / 27°22’51.54″E
15. Old Highway
16. Ancient Canal Road
17. Ancient Paved Road
18. Mount Gümüş (Mount Thorax)
19. Naipli Village37°52’53.02″N / 27°28’16.46″E
20. Eski Ortaklar (remains of a village of Börklüce Mustafa’s followers)
21. Aqueduct Road37°52’57.10″N / 27°28’58.85″E
22. Gümüşköy (hot springs available)37°51’37.44″N / 27°29’27.66″E
23. Ancient City of Magnesia37°51’9.53″N / 27°31’41.96″E

04ACCOMMODATION, SHOPPING AND FOOD

Spending at least one night in Selçuk town center, to see the dozens of places waiting to be discovered there, will make your trip even more enjoyable. The town center has plenty of places to stay. Almost everywhere in town, especially around the central bazaar, you will find shops where you can pick up what you need and buy gifts or souvenirs. Dining options suit every taste and budget.

05PLACES TO SEE IN SELÇUK

• Belevi Mausoleum (Monumental Tomb)
• Byzantine Aqueducts
• Cemal Özkaynak Memorial House
• Çetin Culture Village
• Ancient City of Ephesus (Its founding dates back to the Neolithic Age, around 6000 BC.)
• Ephesus Museum
• İsa Bey Mosque (Built in 1375 by Aydınoğlu İsa Bey.)
• İsa Bey Bath
• Keçi Castle (Gallesion)
• Kümbets – Domed Tombs (Beylik Period)
• House of the Virgin Mary (Pilgrimage Site)
• Saadet Hatun Bath
• Selçuk Ephesus City Memory
• Selçuk Castle (Ayasuluk Castle)
• Selçuk Bird Sanctuary
• Basilica of St. John (a church declared a pilgrimage site, housing the tomb of St. John the Evangelist.)
• Tomb of Şehabettin Sivasi
• Şirince Village (A former Greek village – the Last Ephesus)
• Train Station (Medal- and award-winning)

06FESTIVALS

Every year on the third Sunday of January, the “Selçuk-Ephesus Camel Wrestling Festival” is held on Pamucak beach. Camel wrestling authorities have named it the most popular festival and the “best organized”. The St. John Festival takes place on the first Sunday of May. The “International Selçuk-Ephesus Culture, Art and Tourism Festival and Liberation Celebrations”, held in the town center in September, is also one of the town’s traditional culture and art events.

07GETTING THERE

Selçuk can be reached by every means of transportation: by road via the İzmir-Aydın Motorway, by air via Adnan Menderes Airport, by sea via Kuşadası Port, and by rail on the trains running from İzmir (Basmane) – Selçuk – Denizli and on İZBAN services. Selçuk lies on the İzmir-Aydın road and railway, so many intercity bus companies can also take you to Selçuk.