Selchuk and the home of Virgin Mary

LOCATION & CLIMATE

The town, located on the western edge of the Aegean Region of Turkey, lies 73 kilometers South of İzmir on the İzmir-Aydın highway.  Selçuk has an area of 295 square kilometers. The region enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate.

Selçuk is a very nice little town, with very friendly people, tolerant of tourists.  There is certainly much to see in and around this area.

HISTORY

Selçuk, the beginning of whose history dates back to 6000 B. C., is an important center for three religions, all of which spread throughout the world.

Selchuk is the town outside of Ephesus.  Really Selchuk was probably where the people that were not Romans used to live, since only the Romans could stay inside the city walls at night.

First, it was a center of pagan worship in the polytheist world of antiquity. The Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the world, is a good example of this.

Christianity was disseminated from Selçuk by St. John and his disciples. The Church of the Virgin Mary, the Church of St. John, and the Tomb of St. John are important buildings from this period.

John the disciple of Christ is buried here, and  the last home of Mary, Jesus’ mother is near the town.

The Isabey Mosque is a significant example of architecture from the Islamic era.

BEACHES

9 kilometers east of Selçuk, you can find the famous beach of Pamucak with clean natural sandy beaches and crystal clear waters.
Public transportation is available from the town to this beautiful beach.

The cultivation of cotton, olives, grapes, peaches and citrus fruits is the driving force in the economy, in addition to the tourism industry.

HOW TO GO TO SELCUK

Selçuk can be reached by air either via the Adnan Menderes Airport in İzmir, or by the Selçuk-Efes Airfield.

The ports at Kuşadası and İzmir facilitate sea travel. Due to its location on a major highway, one can also use the bus connections to the neighbouring cities and towns.

EVENTS

The famous Camel Wrestling Festival takes place on the third weekend of January each year, and Selçuk-Ephesus Festival of Culture, Art and Tourism is held in the first week of each September.

compiled by Editor, BTT

Also the little town up in the foothills named Sirince is quaint, peaceful, and an olive capital of all sorts.