Selçuk is a town in İzmir Province in the

Aegean Region The Aegean Region () is one of the 7 Geographical regions of Turkey, geographical regions of Turkey. The largest city in the region is İzmir. Other big cities are Manisa, Aydın, Denizli, Muğla, Afyonkarahisar and Kütahya. Located in w ...

of Turkey. It is located northeast of the ancient city of

Ephesus Ephesus (; grc-gre, Ἔφεσος, Éphesos; tr, Efes; may ultimately derive from hit, 𒀀𒉺𒊭, Apaša) was a city in ancient Greece on the coast of Ionia, southwest of present-day Selçuk in İzmir Province, Turkey. It was built in t ...

, that was once home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Its previous Greek name, Agios Theologos (Άγιος Θεολόγος), referred to John the Theologian, because emperor Justinian had erected there a basilica in honour of the saint. ''Ayasoluk'' is a corrupted form of the original name. In the 14th century, it was the capital of the

Beylik of Aydin The Aydinids or Aydinid dynasty (Modern Turkish: ''Aydınoğulları'', ''Aydınoğulları Beyliği'', ota, آیدین اوغوللاری بیلیغی), also known as the Principality of Aydin and Beylik of Aydin (), was one of the Anatolian ...

, and visited by

Ibn Battuta Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Battutah (, ; 24 February 13041368/1369),; fully: ; Arabic: commonly known as Ibn Battuta, was a Berbers, Berber Maghrebi people, Maghrebi scholar and explorer who travelled extensively in the lands of Afro-Eurasia, ...

. He noted, "The congregational mosque in this city is one of the most magnificent mosques in the world and unequaled in beauty." Under the Ottoman Empire, it was known as Ayasoluk. In 1914, it was renamed Selçuk after the Seljuk Turks who first led incursions into the region in the 12th century. in Kuşadası district till 1957, when it became a district itself. Its neighbours are Torbalı from north, Tire from northeast, Germencik from east, Kuşadası from south, Aegean Sea from west and Menderes (formerly Cumaovası) from northwest. Selçuk is one of the most visited tourist destinations within Turkey, known for its closeness to the ancient city of Ephesus, House of the Virgin Mary, and Seljuk works of art. The 6th century Basilica of St. John the Apostle, which, some claim, is built on the site of the Apostle's tomb, is also inside the town. Procopius said that the basilica was a most sacred and honoured place in Ephesus. It was severely damaged in the invasion of Selçuk Turks in 1090. The place was excavated in 1927, and Pope Paul VI paid it a visit and prayed there. In 1921, after the capture of the village by the Greek forces, the village had a total population of 600, ethnographically consisting of 580 Greeks, 10 Turks and 10 Armenians. Ac artemisephesus

The old quarter of Selçuk retains much traditional Turkish culture. Ayasuluk Hill dominates the surrounding area, with several historical buildings on its slopes, including the İsa Bey Mosque built by the Aydinids in 1375, and the Grand Fortress. The hill itself is part of Ephesus UNESCO World Heritage Site. Selçuk village and Isa Bey mosque from the castle in 1970

Selçuk village and Isa Bey mosque from the castle in 1970

Ephesus Beach (Turkish: ''Pamucak'') is one of the longest beaches (12 km) in Turkey and hosts five large hotels.

Sport

The youth football teams of the İzmir-based sports club Altınordu S.K. play their home matches in the

Altınordu Selçuk-Efes Football Complex Altınordu Selçuk-Efes Football Complex ( tr, Altınordu Selçuk Efes Futbol Tesisleri), shortly ASEFT, is a sport complex of football stadiums operated by the football club Altınordu S.K., and is located in Selçuk town of Izmir Province in ...

, which is located WSW of Selçuk. With five football fields, the venue is the largest in İzmir Province.

Notable people

Bülent Cevahir Bülent Cevahir (born 13 February 1992) is a Turkish footballer who plays as a defender for Boluspor. Professional career Cevahir made his Süper Lig debut on 30 January 2011 with Manisaspor Manisaspor is a Turkish professional football cl ...

(1992–), footballer * Hafsa Hatun (before 1380 – after 1403), wife of Sultan Bayezid I of the Ottoman Empire

International relations

Twin towns – sister cities

Selçuk is

twinned Twinning (making a twin of) may refer to: * In biology and agriculture, producing two offspring (i.e., twins) at a time, or having a tendency to do so; * Twin towns and sister cities, towns and cities involved in town twinning * Twinning inst ...

with: * Dion, Greece * Kobuleti, Georgia * Lienz, Austria * Ourém, Portugal *

Radoviš Radoviš ( mk, Радовиш ) is a city in the southeastern part of North Macedonia. It is the second largest city in the southeastern region. The city is the seat of Radoviš Municipality, which is spread on the bottom of Plačkovica Mountai ...

, North Macedonia * Siegburg, Germany

Sport

Notable people

International relations

Twin towns – sister cities

See also

References

External links