Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, Turkey

One of the seven wonders of the world has been located in the Greek city of Ephesus thousands of years ago. It was the great temple of Artemis. However, only a few columns and part of the foundation have survived to these days. The prominent landmark can be seen in the small Turkish town of Selcuk, which is located in the southern part of the province of Izmir. The history of the grand building is incredibly complicated and full of tragic events. The first temple in Ephesus was built in the 6th century BC.

Construction lasted less than 300 years. The temple was completely burned by Gyrostat, and then restored. A few years later it was sacked by the Goths. Finally, the temple has been destroyed in the 4th century, and a Christian church was built in its place. The ephesus temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis was one of the most majestic in ancient Greece. According to historical records, a large part of the funds for its construction were donated by Croesus, the king of Lydia. He personally wrote an inscription on several pillars of the temple that scientists discovered subsequently.

The main building material was white marble. The statue of Artemis made of ivory and gold served as a main decoration of the sanctuary. The temple was governed by the board of priests. For many years, this place was not just a religious center, but the financial and business center of the city, which was completely independent from the municipal authorities. In 1869, the English explorer, John Turtle Wood, found the ruins of an ancient temple near the town of Selcuk. The foundation was discovered in full only in the 20th century. Now, everyone can visit these amazing sights and see the ruins of the once majestic temple. Next - Mausoleum at Halicarnassus