Selcuk – Ephesos

The capital city of peace and tolerance…

The town, located on the western edge of the Aegean Region of Turkey, lies 73 kilometers South of İzmir on the İzmir-Aydın highway, and 9 kilometers east of Pamucak, which is on the seashore and has clean natural sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. Selçuk has an area of 295 square kilometers. The region enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate. The cultivation of cotton, olives, grapes, peaches and citrus fruits is the driving force in the economy, in addition to the tourism industry. The town can about  10.000 visitors. Selçuk can be reached by air either via the Adnan Menderes Airport at İzmir, or by the Selçuk-Efes Airfield. The ports at Kuşadası and İzmir facilitate sea travel. Because of its location on a major highway, the bus connections to the neighbouring cities and towns. Selçuk, the beginning of whose history date back to 6000 B. C., is an important center for three religions, all of which spread throughout the world. It was first a center of pagan worship in the polytheist world of antiquity. The Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the world, is a good example of this. Christianity was disseminated from Selçuk by St. John and his disciples. The Church of the Virgin Mary, the Church of St. John, and the Tomb of St. John are important buildings from this period. The Isabey Mosque is a significant example of architecture from the Islamic era. The famous Camel Wrestling Festival takes place on the third weekend of January each year, and Selçuk-Ephesus Festival of Culture, Art and Tourism is held in the first week of each September.

www.selcuk.bel.tr