Ephesos is a city with a rich archaeological and cultural history spanning from prehistoric times to the Ottoman Empire. Witnessing the rise and fall of various civilizations, it also served as a home to diverse cultures and belief systems. This layered and multifaceted cultural background made Ephesos a strategically and culturally valuable city throughout history.
The earliest traces of settlement in Ephesos were uncovered through excavations at Çukuriçi Höyük. Findings indicate that this area was inhabited as far back as 7000 BCE. Following these early traces, attention shifted to Ayasuluk Hill (Ayasuluk Tepesi). Historical sources suggest that the Ayasuluk region was part of the Arzawa-Mira Kingdom, whose capital, Apasas, may be linked to Ephesos. Thus, Ayasuluk Hill is considered one of the first main settlement areas of Ephesos.
After Ayasuluk Hill, the settlement moved to the area now referred to as the ancient city of Ephesos. Situated between the slopes of Panayır Mountain (Panayır Dağı) and Bülbül Mountain (Bülbül Dağı), this ancient city was reconstructed by Lysimachus, one of the generals of Alexander the Great, after the Macedonian king ended Persian dominance in Anatolia. This reconstruction gave the city an ancient urban structure and laid the foundation for Ephesos to acquire a true city identity during the Hellenistic Period.
Thanks to its advantageous location for maritime trade and its harbor, Ephesos gradually became one of the major trade centers of the Mediterranean. Additionally, fertile agricultural lands contributed to the city’s rapid economic and social development. When the Kingdom of Pergamon was bequeathed to the Roman Empire in 133 BCE, Ephesos became part of the empire’s Asia province and continued to hold strategic importance as the provincial capital.
Ephesos became one of the important centers of this new religion, with the spread of Christianity. Settlement on Ayasuluk Hill resumed in the 4th century CE, and the area gained prominence as a significant Christian center during the Byzantine period. After the closure of pagan temples, the city’s religious structures were reshaped under the influence of Christianity. The Basilica of St. John, constructed on Ayasuluk Hill during this period, became an important pilgrimage site. Additionally, according to Christian tradition, the Virgin Mary is believed to have lived in Ephesos, residing in a house that was discovered in the 19th century. This house remains a revered pilgrimage site for Christians to this day.
With the arrival of the Turks in Anatolia, a new era began in the history of Ephesos. Although Turkish incursions intensified after the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, Ephesos came under Turkish control when Aydınoğlu Mehmet Bey captured Birgi and Ayasuluk in 1304. During this period, Ayasuluk Hill remained a significant settlement area and was enriched with Turkish structures. Notable among these is the İsa Bey Mosque, which showcases the aesthetic and cultural legacy of this era.
In the 15th century, Ephesos came under Ottoman rule when the Aydinid Principality (Aydınoğulları Beyliği) was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire. During this period, the harbor of Ephesos lost its functionality as it filled with sediment carried by the Küçük Menderes River (Küçük Menderes Nehri), leading to the city’s decline in importance. However, the completion of the İzmir-Aydın railway in the 19th century contributed to the region’s revitalization as a trade center.
The region encompassing Çukuriçi Höyük, Ayasuluk Hill, and the ancient city of Ephesos is one of the world’s most significant cultural heritage sites. In 2015, UNESCO included Ephesos on the World Heritage List, officially recognizing its importance. Today, Ephesos is visited by millions of people annually, making it not only one of İzmir’s but also one of Türkiye’s most important cultural tourism destinations.