Ephesus The Terrace Houses Skip-the-Ticket-Line Ticket
Ephesus The Terrace Houses Skip-the-Ticket-Line Ticket
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Visit the Terrace Houses at Ephesus, once home to the city’s wealthy aristocrats. These remarkably preserved Roman houses boast intricate mosaics, marble walls, and frescoes with mythological themes, reflecting the opulence of ancient Ephesus.
About this activity
Duration
Flexible
Highlights
- Well-Preserved Houses: Discover seven ancient Roman houses built on terraces.
- Luxury Features: Admire the underfloor heating, colored mosaics, marble walls, and frescoes.
- Historical Insight: Learn about the lives of Ephesus's prominent citizens.
- Architectural Marvels: Explore houses built around open peristyle yards with fountains and central heating systems.
Description
Includes
- Ephesus The Terrace Houses Entrance Ticket
How It Works
- Opening Hours: 08:30 - 18:00 daily
- Location: Efes Harabeleri, 35920 Selçuk/İzmir
- Next-Day Purchase: If your purchase is for tomorrow, your ticket will be sent to you by early morning.
- Future Date Purchase: If your purchase is for a future date, since tickets have expiration dates, you will receive them the day before your service date.
- Your tickets are valid throughout the opening hours.
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Can be booked for up to per booking
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- Non-refundable
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The Terrace Houses at the Ephesus Archaeological Site offer a unique glimpse into the luxurious lifestyle of the city's wealthy aristocrats. Situated on the slopes of Mount Koressos, these seven ancient Roman houses were constructed in the 1st century AD and served as homes for Ephesus's most prominent citizens.
Originally, the area was used as a cemetery during the Hellenistic period. However, in the Roman era, it was transformed into a residential area, reflecting the city's growth and prosperity. The houses were built around open peristyle yards, an architectural feature that underscores the wealth and status of their inhabitants.
Luxury Features: The Terrace Houses are renowned for their advanced architectural and decorative features. The floors are adorned with colored mosaics, depicting various scenes and patterns that add to the aesthetic appeal of the houses. The walls are made of marble and are further embellished with frescoes portraying mythological themes, providing a glimpse into the artistic tastes of the time.
One of the most impressive aspects of these houses is the presence of underfloor heating systems, known as hypocausts, which highlight the advanced engineering skills of the Romans. Additionally, the houses were equipped with fountains and central heating systems, further illustrating the luxurious lifestyle enjoyed by the elite of Ephesus.
While You're Here: A visit to the Terrace Houses can be complemented by a trip to the House of the Virgin Mary, a significant Christian pilgrimage site located on Mount Koressos. According to tradition, St. John brought the Virgin Mary to Ephesus several years after the death of Jesus. Rediscovered by Lazarist missionaries in 1891, the house where Mother Mary spent her last days has been restored and now serves as a shrine. Designed in the shape of a cross with a dome, the site attracts numerous visitors, particularly on August 15th when an annual ceremony is held, a tradition that began with Pope Paul VI's visit in 1967.
The Terrace Houses at Ephesus provide a fascinating insight into the daily lives and luxurious living conditions of ancient Roman aristocrats, making it a must-visit for history enthusiasts and those interested in ancient architecture and art.