Historical Places to Visit in Kusadasi
Kuşadası is famous for its historical places as well as entertainment venues. It offers a fascinating sightseeing experience for those who want to take a historical journey with the ruins and structures of ancient civilizations dating back thousands of years. The most beautiful and most important examples of the Anatolian region, which has hosted many civilizations, are in locations that can be easily reached from Kuşadası.
Here are the best historical places to visit while in Kusadasi:
1. Ayasuluk (St. Yohannes Basilica)
Aziz Yohannes Bazilikası
St. Yohannes Basilica was founded by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I in the 6th century on the Ayasuluk Hill in the Selçuk district of İzmir, 26 km from the Kuşadası district of Aydın. The ruins of the basilica, built entirely of brick and stone, can still be visited and seen today. It is also known that the tomb of St. Yohannes, one of the 12 Apostles, is under this basilica.
2. Temple of Artemis
Artemis Tapınağı
The Temple of Artemis, also known as the Temple of Diana, was built in Ephesus, 20 kilometers from the center of Kuşadası and located in the Selçuk district of İzmir, in 550 BC by the Greek Architect Chershpron, by the order of the Lydian King Croseus, dedicated to the Goddess Artemis. The Temple of Artemis is one of the 7 wonders of the world, as well as the largest Greek temple. Although only one or two marble columns remain from the temple, the ancient city of Ephesus, which smells of history, is among the most visited historical places in terms of historical places close to Kuşadası.
3. St. John’s Church
St. John Kilisesi
Located 25 km from the center of Kusadasi, St. John Church, the youngest of the 12 apostles and Hz. St. John, to whom Jesus entrusted his mother, in other words, St. It is known as the place where John lived. Located in the Selçuk district of İzmir, the church serves its visitors as a ruined place today. st. John’s Church is the second largest religious building in Ephesus, built after the Temple of Artemis. In the church, which is very important in the history of Christianity, ceremonies and events are held every year on May 8 and September 26 within the scope of the feast of St. At the same time, this historical place, which is very close to Kuşadası, is the center of attention of tourists with its ease of transportation.
4. Temple of Apollo
Apollon Tapınağı
Located 76 km from the center of Kuşadası, the Temple of Apollo was built in the 6th century BC in Aydın’s Didim district. It is one of the most preserved structures of antiquity. It is also the third largest temple in the world, built in the Ionian style. Thanks to these features, many domestic and foreign tourists visit this temple every year.
5. House of Virgin Mary
Meryem Ana Evi
The House of Virgin Mary, located on Bülbül Mountain, 25 km from Kuşadası and 9 km from Selçuk district of İzmir, is among the historical places to visit in Kuşadası. This structure, which is very important for the Christian world, was built 4 or 6 years after the death of Jesus in St. It is known as the house where John brought the Virgin Mary to Ephesus and where the Virgin Mary spent her last days. The House of Virgin Mary, which has a cross plan and a dome, rituals are held on August 15 every year after the visit of Pope Paul VI in 1967, and these rituals attract great attention from local and foreign visitors.
