It felt like stepping into a history textbook — the ancient city of Ephesus left me in awe.

Photos and text byHappy Cloud

This Aegean cruise journey has filled my heart with countless exclamations, and this stop is definitely one where the number of gasps is beyond count. As the vehicle slowly climbed up the mountain road, I was surprised to find that this was the final retreat of the Virgin Mary — the House of Virgin Mary.

This place is certified by the Vatican and has attracted heads of state and tourists from around the world to visit. People queue up to show their reverence, and no photos are allowed inside the small house.

You can only keep the sacred atmosphere in your mind, remembering that this is the last place on earth where the Virgin Mary was before her ascension. Near the house, there is holy water representing health, happiness, and wealth.

Everyone took turns drinking the holy water, hoping for a lifetime of peace.
Just like the densely packed wishing wall nearby.

Leaving the House of Virgin Mary and heading downhill toward the ruins we had passed earlier,

this is the best-preserved and largest ancient Greco-Roman city ruins in the world — Ephesus. It was also once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, an ancient city with a history of thousands of years.

The ancient city, built in the 10th century BC, was destroyed by a major earthquake in 17 AD. After several twists and turns, it was opened as a tourist attraction following the establishment of the Republic of Turkey. Although the ancient city was severely damaged, the ruins still allow us to imagine how prosperous and glorious the past must have been.

The ruins tour stretches about two kilometers from northwest to southeast, featuring the ancient Roman baths, marble colonnaded streets, altars, temples, fountains, ancient Roman toilets, the Library of Celsus, the theater, and more.

Walking into Ephesus felt like stepping into a Western architectural history textbook. My heart was so excited!!! Finally, I saw the Ionic style, one of the five classical Greek architectural styles. Suddenly, all my past questions were answered. I thought to myself, traveling is truly wonderful.

Related articles:

【Costa, Aegean Cruise IV】Second Stop Ashore: Katakolon, Greece — the Birthplace of the Olympic Games.
【Costa, Aegean Cruise III】First Stop Ashore: Bari, a Seaside Resort Town in Southern Italy; Also the Site of Santa Claus’s Tomb.

【Costa, Aegean Cruise II】A Floating Resort — the Costa Fascinosa Begins a Wonderful Aegean Journey.
【Costa, Aegean Cruise I】A Cruise Trip Is No Dream — Setting Sail with Costa Fascinosa to the Dreamy Aegean; First Stop: The World’s Most Romantic Water City, Venice.

The 8-day, 7-night Aegean itinerary is still underway...................

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