Greetings from Kusadasi, Turkey

The large theater at Ephesus where the crowd rioted as recorded in the Book of Acts.

Dr. Poe is dying to rest after a hard day

Fragments of the Hugh Statue of Domitian

Hello Everyone,

Everyone is safe and sound here in Kusadasi. This morning we left Izmir and traveled to the amazing site of Ephesus.

Our first stop was at the House of Mary, high in the hills above the city. This was a quiet and peaceful place with many trees and a small chapel built over the site of an early house which many identify with the house of Mary.

Then we visited the site of Ephesus. This Greco-Roman has extensive runs. We started at the upper end of the site and visited the Odeon and made our way down the Curetes Road toward the Library of Celsus. Along the way we visted the nicely preserved bath house and Roman Toilets.

The highlight of the trip was the visited to the Terrace Houses. This area has been excavated extensively in the last 15 years and it was the wealthiest part of the city. Frescos and fine mosaics are preserved in this area.

We also saw the Library of Celsus. It was restored by an Austrian team of archaeologists. We saw the site of a brothel but we could not see the famous footstep inscription that some believe was an advertisement for the brothel because that section of the road was closed due to renovations.

We then entered the great theater of the ancient city this was the site of the near riot in the city where Paul’s ministry caused the salver smith guild to work the crowd into a 2 hour frenzy calling out great is Artemis goddess of the Ephesus.

The weather was good for our trip and the crowds while much heavier than we are used to were relatively light for this time of year.

Then we ate lunch at local buffet and visited a place where they make hand woven Turkish Rugs. Everyone enjoyed seeing the silk being spun from the cocoons.

We then visited the nice museum of the site of Ephesus. The highlights of this museum included a fresco of Socrates found in a villa, also the fine statues of the Ephesian Artemis. There was also a colossal statue of Domitian and a fine display about gladiators.

After this we visited the Church of Saint John and saw the traditional place of the burial of John. There is a fine baptistery in the floor of the church and also a mosaic of John, Jesus and Mary.

Then we visited a shop which makes and sells articles of leather. We had a special fashion show at this shop.

After this we drove to the site of the Temple of Artemis. This was one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world but now only a single column remains with a stork nest on top.

We are staying in a nice hotel and in the morning we sail to the Island of Patmos which is controlled by Greece.

Everyone is doing well and feeling fine and we looking forward to the rest of our trip.


John Wineland
Kusadasi, Turkey