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13-Nights Cultural Wonders of Turkey - National Geographic Journeys

Price: $3,509 - # of Days: 13 days
Cultural Wonders of Turkey Delve into the fascinating history of Turkey on a journey to Istanbul, Pamukkale, Konya, Cappadocia and beyond. Discover the iconic gems of Istanbul—the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Grand Bazaar—and step back in time with history-rich visits to Anzac Cove and the Göreme ...

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Overview

Introduction

When the Cayster (Kucuk Menderes) river that had played such a vital role in the life of Ephesus finally silted up, the town's remaining inhabitants moved a few miles/kilometers inland and established a new settlement on the site of what is now Selcuk (pronounced cell-juk), the charming small town that makes the best base for visiting the Ephesus archaeological ruins.

Once a favorite with backpackers, Selcuk is moving slowly upmarket to meet the needs of a more discerning clientele. Unlike Kusadasi and Sirince, Selcuk has a life beyond tourism. The countryside around it is full of fruit trees, which makes it especially inviting in spring and autumn.

Although the town center has some high-rise buildings, much of it remains pleasantly low-rise, and the oldest part around the Isa Bey Cami mosque is full of attractive historic buildings, including neighborhood mosques and tombs dating from the Middle Ages,as well as the striking Byzantine aqueduct pillars that run through the town center.

The heart of town is the bus station, with most accommodations and restaurants within easy walking distance. There's also a lively market. There's not much in the way of fine-dining there, nor are there many upscale shops. However, there is a wide range of attractions, including an historic hammam (Turkish bath) and the aqueduct topped with storks' nests throughout the summer.

Geography

Selcuk lies about 4 mi/8 km northeast of Ephesus, separated from the town by the main highway to Kusadasi.

The most interesting part of Selcuk is on the western Ephesus side, where most of the historic structures can be found around the Isa Bey Cami and the Basilica of St. John, both of them overlooked by Ayasuluk Hill. Most of the accommodations are also in the western section of town, while most restaurants are in the newer central part of town.

Potpourri

The different name often obscures the fact, but Selcuk is really the modern Ephesus, moved a little farther inland after the old harbor silted up and rendered the original location redundant.

The call to prayer from the Isa Bey Cami in Selcuk is not made from a minaret. The muezzin stands in the courtyard with a microphone.

The monument to the Turkish War of Independence (1919-22) in the main square of Selcuk was designed by Mehmet Aksoy, who has been nicknamed "the Anatolian Michelangelo."