What is Temple of Artemis?
The Temple of Artemis, also known as the Artemision, is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Located in Ephesus, which is now in modern-day Turkey near the town of Selçuk, it was a grand structure dedicated to the Greek goddess Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, wild animals, wilderness, childbirth, and virginity. The temple was built and rebuilt multiple times due to natural disasters and human-caused destruction. The most magnificent of these iterations was the version built around 550 BCE by the Lydian King Croesus, which took around 120 years to construct. This version was described by Antipater of Sidon, who compiled the list of the Seven Wonders, as being superior to all others. This grand edifice was made almost entirely of marble and had a size that was unparalleled in its time: approximately 377 feet long, 180 feet wide, and 60 feet high. It was adorned with high-quality sculptures, including many statues of Artemis, and it served as both a marketplace and a religious institution. However, by the 5th century CE, the Temple of Artemis had fallen into ruin due to a series of misfortunes, including a devastating act of arson by a man named Herostratus, who sought infamy, and later by plundering for building materials. Today, only a single column from the Temple of Artemis remains standing, but the site continues to attract many visitors interested in ancient history.How do you get to Temple of Artemis?
The Temple of Artemis is located near the modern town of Selçuk, in Turkey. Here’s how you might get there from various locations: From Izmir: Izmir is the nearest major city to Selçuk. You can take a train from Izmir to Selçuk, which takes about an hour and a half. From Selçuk train station, you can take a taxi or walk (around 20 minutes) to the site of the Temple of Artemis. From Istanbul: There are daily flights from Istanbul to Izmir. From Izmir, you can follow the steps mentioned above to reach Selçuk and then the Temple of Artemis. Alternatively, you can take a bus or train from Istanbul to Izmir, but these journeys take considerably longer (6-8 hours). From Ephesus: The Temple of Artemis is just a few kilometers away from the ancient city of Ephesus. You can walk (about 30-40 minutes) or take a short taxi ride from Ephesus to the Temple of Artemis.When is the best time to visit Temple of Artemis?
The best time to visit the Temple of Artemis in Selçuk, Turkey, largely depends on your preference for weather and crowd sizes. Spring (April to June) and Autumn (September to November): These seasons are often considered the best times to visit. The weather is typically mild and pleasant, making it comfortable for outdoor exploration. Additionally, these periods often have fewer tourists than the peak summer months, so you may enjoy a less crowded experience. Summer (June to August): This is the peak tourist season. The weather is hot, often reaching highs of 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit). Despite the heat, this is when the site sees the most visitors. If you choose to visit during this time, be prepared for the heat and crowds. Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the hottest part of the day. Winter (December to February): The weather during these months can be quite cool and there can be rain. While this is the quietest time to visit in terms of tourist numbers, some may find the weather a bit too cold for comfortable exploration.What is the history of Temple of Artemis?
The Temple of Artemis, also known as the Artemision, is a Greek temple located in Ephesus (near the modern town of Selçuk in present-day Turkey). Dedicated to the goddess Artemis, who was worshipped by the Greeks as a goddess of hunting, wild nature, and fertility, it was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. First Temple (Around 800 BC): The earliest version of the temple was supposedly built in the 8th century BC, and little is known about it. Second Temple (Around 550 BC): The famed version of the Temple of Artemis, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was built around 550 BC by the Lydian king Croesus. This structure was constructed entirely of marble, with a decorated façade overlooking a spacious courtyard. It was designed and constructed by the Cretan architect Chersiphron and his son Metagenes. Unfortunately, this version of the temple was destroyed by a fire set by a man named Herostratus in 356 BC, who claimed he committed the act to achieve lasting fame. Third Temple (Around 323 BC): The Ephesians rebuilt the temple again, this time even more grandiose than before, after the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC. The new temple, like its predecessor, was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. However, by the time of the rise of Christianity, the temple had fallen into disuse and disrepair. The temple was finally destroyed for good in 401 AD by a mob led by St. John Chrysostom, the Archbishop of Constantinople, marking the decline of the traditional Greco-Roman religions in the face of the rise of Christianity. Today, only a single column remains of the once grand temple, standing lonely in a field, but the site still attracts visitors due to its historical significance.What is Temple of Artemis famous for?
The Temple of Artemis, located in Ephesus, has quite a few notable firsts and greatest associated with it: One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: Perhaps the most significant recognition, the Temple of Artemis was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It gained this status due to its grandeur, architectural beauty, and significance in the ancient world. One of the Largest Temples: The Temple of Artemis was also one of the largest temples in the ancient world. It was approximately four times the size of the Parthenon in Athens, with dimensions reported as 377 feet long by 180 feet wide and columns reaching 60 feet high. First Marble Structure: The second version of the Temple of Artemis, constructed around 550 BC, was one of the first structures entirely built of marble. Unique Art and Sculpture: The Temple of Artemis was adorned with high-quality sculptures and art. The most famous of these was a statue of the goddess Artemis herself, who was the temple’s patron. Center for Commerce: The Temple was not just a religious center but also served as a marketplace and a bank, providing safe storage for significant amounts of money and goods.Who are the most famous people in the history of Temple of Artemis?
The Temple of Artemis, as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was a significant structure in the ancient world, attracting many notable figures from history. Here are a few: Artemis: The temple was dedicated to the Greek goddess Artemis (known as Diana in Roman mythology), the goddess of the hunt, wild animals, wilderness, childbirth, virginity and protector of young girls, and hence she is inherently the most significant figure associated with it. Chersiphron and Metagenes: These were the architects of the first temple, built around 550 BC. Their innovative techniques and the grand scale of the temple would influence Greek architecture for centuries. King Croesus of Lydia: The rich King Croesus of Lydia is said to have funded the building of the temple. Herostratus: A man named Herostratus famously burned down the temple in 356 BC in an attempt to achieve lasting fame. His name has come down through history as a term for someone who seeks fame at any cost. Alexander the Great: Born on the same night the temple was burned down, Alexander the Great offered to rebuild it, but his offer was declined. Scopas of Paros: He was one of the most famous sculptors in the ancient world and worked on the decoration of the temple.Other places to visit in the Aegean Coast Region
- Mount Aladag — Mount Aladag: A Sacred Mountain Turkey has something to impress you every corner. On an island.
- Pergamon (Pergamum) — A place to visit in Mysia, Izmir, Turkey.
- Aigai — Aigai, also known as Nemrutkale or Nemrut Kalesi in Turkish, was an ancient city and former bishopric in Aeolis, a region on the western coast of Asia Minor.
Frequently asked questions about Temple Of Artemis
Is anything left of the Temple of Artemis?
Very little, and visitors should know that before making the trip. One column stands, reassembled from fragments, in a field that floods in winter. The rest is foundations at ground level.
What happened to the Temple of Artemis?
It was destroyed and rebuilt several times across its history, sacked in the third century, and then quarried for stone over the following centuries. Its best surviving sculpture is in the British Museum and in the Ephesus Museum in Selcuk.
Is the Temple of Artemis worth stopping for?
For ten minutes, yes. It sits directly on the road between Selcuk and Ephesus, and standing in an empty field where one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World once stood is worth the detour, provided you are not expecting a monument.
Where exactly is the Temple of Artemis?
On the edge of Selcuk, below the hill carrying the Basilica of Saint John, with the Isa Bey Mosque alongside. All three are within a short walk of each other.
Do you need a ticket for the Temple of Artemis?
No. It is an open site that you walk into from the roadside.
The best Temple of Artemis Tours
There are several tour companies offering guided tours of the Temple of Artemis, as part of their Ephesus or Seven Wonders of the Ancient World itinerary. These tours often include transportation, an expert guide, and sometimes meals. Some may even combine a visit to the Temple of Artemis with other significant nearby sites such as the ancient city of Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, and the Basilica of St. John. Ephesus Full-Day Tour: This comprehensive tour includes a visit to the Temple of Artemis, Ephesus, the House of Virgin Mary, and the Basilica of St. John. It usually includes an English-speaking guide, transportation, and lunch. Half-Day Ephesus and Temple of Artemis Tour: If you’re short on time, this tour offers a condensed version, focusing on Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis. Seven Wonders of the Ancient World Tour: Some companies offer a broader tour that covers all the sites of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, including the Temple of Artemis. Private Ephesus and Temple of Artemis Tours: For a more personalized experience, you could consider a private tour. These are often customizable according to your interests and usually include a private vehicle and guide.How big was the Temple of Artemis?
The Artemision measured over 110 by 55 metres and was destroyed by invading Goths in AD 262, never to be rebuilt. (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
But when it was set on fire by a certain Herostratus, the citizens erected another and better one, having collected the ornaments of the women and their own individual belongings.
— Strabo, Geography 14.1.22
Current status: Little of the temple remains on site; many sculptured column fragments are in the British Museum.