Reading up on the history of Kusadasi and Ephesus still cannot prepare you for what you will see. Kusadasi translates into the ‘Island of Birds’. Apart from the stunning coastline that is always a photographer's delight, the alluring beaches make it easy to see why this has become a tourist mecca.
Ruled by many but most recently the Ottomans and then the Byzantines, it is more notable from a historical perspective as the gateway to relics and stories dating back as far as 3000 BC.
After uncovering the statues of Artemis, the once-lost Mycenean city now fills in the gaps in a very large puzzle of thousands of years of an incredible civilisation. The museum has, amongst its extensive collection, stone axes dating back 5000 years BC.
My photo of the Library of Celsus in the evening is one of my most treasured, as the experience is unique to the company we travelled with. The Library itself was built as a tomb for Tiberius Celsis Polemanus but was also the place where rolls of parchment were kept. Part of the fascination, it is said, is that St John visited from time to time. There are four statues symbolising Wisdom, Virtue, Science and Fortune, on either side of the doorways. The facade has been destroyed by earthquakes and invasions, resulting in fire. It is at its present glory due to the dedication of an Austrian archaeologist.
Adjoining the library is the Gate of Mazeus and Mithridates dedicated to Emperor Augustus, the son of Caesar. It is as spectacular as it looks, so take your time, I recommend a big part of the day just in this one place.
