I haven’t mentioned that one of the best museums in all of Turkey, the Ephesus Museum, was closed for renovation when we visited. So disappointing! Not once in all the research we did leading up to this trip did we see anything about the museum closure.

After breakfast at the hotel we walk to the ruins of Basilica of St. John. The citadel above the ruins is closed, which is strange since hotel owner mentioned it had been recently renovated.

Basilica of St. John was built by Justinian in the 6th century over an existing shrine purportedly containing the tomb of John the Disciple. The site was leveled by an earthquake in the 1300’s, and restoration was begun in 1960 and continues today.

Afterwards, visit Artemis Temple

Little to see at Artemis Temple that can’t be seen from the Basilica.

Final thoughts – Basilica of St. John worth a quick visit but no need to see Artemis Temple if short on time.