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Temple of Artemis: Magnificence of an Ancient Wonder

So you are planning your travel and looking for ideas on where to visit, right? Well, how about Temple of Artemis? Yes, I mean one of the Seven Wonders of the World. But wait a minute before you think, “oh another pile of dusty ruins”. This is not just any rocks; it is history, mythology and a little magic rolled into one. And the best part is that you compare two interesting places where you can connect with this ancient great wonder.

Why Visit the Temple of Artemis?

But let’s get to know more about it. The temple was a huge monument constructed for Artemis who was the Greek goddess of hunting wilderness and moon. Picture yourself in front of an enormous sanctuary with over a hundred columns as each column towers above you when walking through its ruins. It’s not just somewhere to go but something to be experienced. It is about standing exactly where ancient pilgrims stood and hearing echoes of rituals performed many years ago thus enabling one imagine what has been left out by history.

However, there is another cool thing here: you may visit both Ephesus in Turkey and Sardis that are also located in Turkey but belong to different continents. Each place provides different experiences so let us look at what each offers.

Ephesus: The Heart of Artemis

Of the two, Ephesus is the better-known and justifiably so. This once throbbing city was an ancient hub for trade and culture and its crowning glory was the Temple of Artemis. True, very little remains of this temple today, just a few columns here and there; but that’s part of its charm. You walk through what used to be one of the most important temples in ancient times as well as the city itself? That is Ephesus for you – an open-air museum. There are also places such as the Great Theatre, Library of Celsus or even House of Virgin Mary in close proximity. It would be a shame not to visit.

How to Visit Ephesus?

Getting to Ephesus is quite easy. The nearest large city if you are coming into Turkey by air is Izmir. From there, it will take you one hour by car to get to Ephesus. Alternatively, either hiring a car or taking a bus or even joining a guided tour can help you access this place easily. For those who enjoy independent travel with their own pace may consider picking up on a guidebook and going free style while exploring this site which is open all through the year though it would be great if planned in spring or autumn when one can tour around without having heat stroke during summer.

Sardis: The Lesser-Known Gem

Now let us talk about Sardis. When someone mentions Temple of Artemis, Sardis might not be your first thought but believe me it’s worth making a detour for it. It was the capital city for ancient kingdom Lydia and another temple dedicated to Artemis was located here even if it didn’t have many followers unlike that at Ephesos where everyone wanted go see her temple. While it’s not as famous as Ephesus, the temple here is better preserved, and the site is far less crowded. You can explore the ruins in peace, take in the stunning views of the surrounding hills, and really feel like you’re stepping back in time.

How to go to Sardis?

Sardis is about 70 miles east of Izmir, so it’s a bit out of the way, but that’s part of its charm. I guess you’d want to rent a car this time as options for public transport are limited. This drive takes you through some lovely countryside, though, so it’s well worth making the effort. The entrance fee applies in both Ephesus and Sardis, which are also open all year round but the best weather is experienced in spring or autumn.

Why don’t you visit both if you have enough time and curiosity? For instance, while Ephesus has all the grandeur and reputation associated with one of the most famous ancient cities anywhere on earth, Sardis provides a more quiet introspective experience. Either way however, history will be experienced by few people today.

So pack your bags; charge your camera; and be ready to explore what remains of this wonder that has enchanted visitors for ages untold. If you choose between Ephesus’s bustling ruins and Sardis’ peaceful remains there always awaits an opportunity for Temple of Artemis to speak its tale.