With its heart in Asia and its head in Europe, Turkey covers a vast landmass and stretches from its European land and sea borders with Bulgaria and Greece to almost touch the Mediterranean island of Cyprus and meet with the Middle Eastern nations of Syria and Iran.

Naturally such a vast nation which is embraced by such varied and historic cultures on all sides has a thrilling and rich history and culture of its own, and it is only when you begin to explore the delights of the nation that you realise how much Turkey has to offer the traveller, no matter what their ideal holiday type. Read the rest of this entry »

A stoa to the right of the marble road leading away from the theatre was uncovered, dating to the reign of the emperor Nero restoration of this building is still underway. The stoa fronts the agora of Ephesus. This has three monumental gates, the northern, western and southern gates, flanking the Celsus Library. The southern gate has been restored. The stoa contained a single row of shops of standard dimensions fronted by a row of columns. In the centre of the court stood a water clock, which has been removed to the eastern gallery for restoration. Originally built in the Hellenistic period, the agora underwent considerable changes during the reign of Augustus.

The great theatre of the city framed by three walls on the left, right and in the front, is at the western foot of Panayir mountain at the beginning of Harbour Street The stage building, which is very valuable from the art historical point of view, is one of the best preserved constructions in Ephesus up to the present moment. Read the rest of this entry »