Ayasuluk Hill, St. Johns Basilica and Fortress | Turkey

in travel •  2 years ago 

IMG_9656.JPG

Selcuk is the modern day community closest to Ephesus which is an ancient ruin from the Roman world that is probably the hottest tourism site in Turkey. When I visited in 2014 we stayed in a little bed and breakfast in the town on a hill. As you walk from there to the town center you pass by the entrance to the St. John Basilica and Aysuluk Hill. This is like a 2 for 1 tourist site in this area which you can hardly throw a stone without hitting a UNESCO world heritage site or an ancient wonder of the world.

IMG_9642.JPG

This hill overlooks one of the 7 ancient wonders of the ancient world the Temple of Artemis. The Basilica of Saint John is where John the Apostle one of Jesus' Apostles tomb is and where he was laid to rest. This was constructed by the Romans in the 6th Century AD. The construction was started in 568 by Emperor Julius to replace a smaller church there that was in ruins.

IMG_9652.JPG
The site is largely a ruin now and a footprint of the massive structure on site. It is on a lower shoulder of a large hill that has a fortress at the top of it. There are some columns and walls still left in place.

IMG_9668.JPG

The foot print was like a large cross laid on the ground. Here you can see a model of the structure on the site.

IMG_9669.JPG

What was once one of the holiest churches during its time on earth it lost its zeal by the 9th century and was rarely mentioned again in history.

IMG_9649.JPG
There are still a number of doorways and walls standing you can begin to piece what it might look like as you walk around the large site.

IMG_9651.JPG

It was a beautiful day with a crisp blue sky the sun was out enough to make it warm enough to go down to short sleeves even being that it was November.

IMG_9653.JPG
Some of the floor tiles and mosaics can still be made out on the site.

IMG_9654.JPG
The actual Tome of St. John who made his way to Ephesus from Jerusalem and then was exiled from Ephesus for some time when he wrote Revelations, and then he was able to return and live out the rest of his life here.

IMG_9655.JPG
There are massive views of the area all around the hill, the town below, the mountains and even out to where the modern day coast line.

IMG_9656.JPG

IMG_9659.JPG

IMG_9663.JPG

IMG_9666.JPG

Some wide angle shots that show the scale of the place.

IMG_9661.JPG
The surviving baptismal where people were baptized by walking into the stone cutout filled with holy water.

IMG_9657.JPG

IMG_9671.JPG

IMG_9670.JPG
Above the basilica is a massive fortress that was believed to be build sometime in the 7th century after the invasion of the Muslims to protect the Basilica.

IMG_9672.JPG
From the top of the hill you can see the in the distance the far shore line. This silting up of the valley and the movement of the shore line further from Ephesus is what probably caused the decline in its importance after the 6th century. Malaria also became a problem with the marshy area. This is why the modern day town is where it is now around the hill.

IMG_9674.JPG
In the 1300s the area was capture and the basilica was turned into a mosque. There is also a mosque at the top of the hill which is surrounded by the fortress.

IMG_9676.JPG

IMG_9678.JPG

IMG_9685.JPG

There is not much to see at the fortress currently but there was some restoration work ongoing and perhaps there will be more to see in the future.

IMG_9690.JPG
I really enjoyed the views of the surrounding areas with the beautiful blue sky.

Thanks for taking another journey with me and seeing some interesting places around the world.

Shot with a Canon Eos Rebel by myself.

Authors get paid when people like you upvote their post.
If you enjoyed what you read here, create your account today and start earning FREE BLURT!
Sort Order:  
  ·  2 years ago  ·  

An interesting trip and beautiful photos, it is always valuable to know the history of the places we visit and being able to do this walk with your publication was very gratifying.
You had enough sun, the photograph of the basilica seems to me to be beautiful, a complete monument to remember what it once was.
Keeping your travels going and sharing with us on Blurt, this travel energy makes me happy because it connects me with other paradises and allows me to travel from home to other places with ease.
Good vibes.😍

  ·  2 years ago  ·  

Bro nice content and I will try to my best for a unic content please help me I wish you help me just one time give me your 100% voting please give me... this is my first dream

  ·  2 years ago  ·  

This is a real ancient site for tourism 🙂❤️

a very good area that most tourist tries to be acquainted with👍

cool write up

  ·  2 years ago  ·  

Congratulations, your post has been curated by @scilwa, which is the curating account for @R2cornell's Discord Community.

Manually curated by @Angelica7

logo3 Discord.png

It is a pleasure for us to share our best wishes and congratulations. You have been given a virtual hug by the healing account @newvisionlife and manually curation by @angelica7.
Thank you for using our hashtag #newvisionlife

photo_2022-07-20_18-17-42.jpg

  ·  2 years ago  ·  

Congratulations, your post has been upvoted by @r2cornell, which is the curating account for @R2cornell's Discord Community.

Curated by <@bestkizito >

r2cornell_curation_banner.png

  ·  2 years ago  ·  

You always share awesome photos and and describe all things so nicely. And this is also valuable blog from you.


Posted from https://blurtlatam.com

  ·  2 years ago  ·  

Thank you, your post has been upvoted by @blurttribe.

Curated manually by @obikay

obikay_20220608_103153_0000.jpg
:::Discord :::Whatsapp:::Twitter :::
YOU CAN VOTE FOR OR DELEGATE BLURT POWER TO @blurttribe TO SUPPORT CURATION

  ·  2 years ago  ·  

nice post.

  ·  2 years ago  ·  

Congratulations, your post has been curated by @techclub


Manually curated by

@chibuzorwisdom

c362c2cf8c19fc34a19e29e5a2db7acb60e3b4b3 (1).jpg

Follow techclub DISCORD for more updates and use tag #techclub for tagging content

you can also delegate to @techclub to support curation