Kusadasi - Pamukkale (Day 4)

House of Virgin Mary

Many Christians and Muslims believed that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was live in the house in the final years of her life on earth. Inside the house, we can only see a room and altar. However, since we are not allowed to take photo, so we only take photo outside the house.


At the exit of the House of Virgin Mary, can be seen a lot of people drinking ‘Water of Mary’ which believed have curative properties. The water is cooling.


Further to the said ‘sacred water’ we pass by the prayer hall which is full of tissues. People are making their wishes on tissue and tie it up there. Both of us also do the same thing, write our wish on tissue and tie on the wall.



Ephesus, was the trade centre of the ancient world and a religious centre of the early Christianity. Nowadays, Ephesus is an important tourism centre in Turkey. It is one of the world’s most outstanding archeological sites.

Odeon
First amphitheater can be found as we walk in from one of the entrance. It was used as meeting rooms and concerts with capacity of 1500 people.

Amphitheater in Ephesus



The Gate of Heracles

Prytaneion
The sculptural figuration which is prominent there represents Winged Nike, the Goddess of Victory, while she holds a plaited crown in her left hand. Can you see the logo?


Fountain of Trajan
The original structure reached 12m height. Now we can only see the reconstruction in a reduced scale.


Temple of Hadrian
The Temple of Hadrian has a beautiful arch on the front facade and interesting reliefs. The interior of the facade is decorated with panels of reliefs along the top.


Front arch and interior relief.


We saw public toilet with stone seats above a channel! There were no divisions or partitions between seats. Hmm, never thought of this "activity" can be that opened! The ancient people sure very skinny too!


Library of Celsus
The facade of the Library of Celsus is one of the most beautifully reconstructed structures in Ephesus.


Great Theater
Great Theater rises 30m (100 feet) high and can seat 25,000 people. There are magnificent views to be seen from the top. Most of the marble paving and some lower elements of the backdrop remain on the stage.
The theatre was used not only for concerts and plays, but also for religious, political and philosophical discussions and for gladiator and animal fights.




Then, we proceed our journey to Pamukkale.

Pamukkale (Cotton Castle)

Pamukkale is one of the most important highlights of Turkey, unique in the world like cascades white castle. "Pamukkale" in Turkish means "cotton castle", parallel to the glorious and spectacular view of the site. The layers of white calcium carbonate, built up in steps on the plateau. It resembles Huanglong in China but Cotton Castle no longer as beautiful as before the area is being developed in the late 20th century i.e. construction, noise and pollution etc. UNESCO has made effort to restore the site. Therefore, nowadays the scene has lost nothing of its former attractions, different from I saw in the photo through internet. Many pools are empty and only part of the pool filled with warm water. I am a bit disappointed when I saw Pamukkale myself.




The town of Pamukkale, at the foot of the hot springs

Another Roman Amphitheater