IZMIR
Our first stop on our way to Izmir is Buldan which is a textile center in Turkey. There we visit a silk factory and shop in town for silk and cotton items. We wish we had much more room for transporting gifts back home because the bargains here are quite good and we see many things we would like to buy.
Buldan Silk
Our next stop is Sardis, the capital of the Lydian kingdom. It is here that it is thought that, in the 6th century, coins were first minted . We visit several impressive historical sites, including the oldest synagogue in the world and one of the 7 churches of Anatolia. Other sites include the hall of the imperial cult and Artemis Temple.
The marble court of the hall of the imperial cult.
Arriving at our hotel, the Princess Hotel, we are again disappointed. It is too far out of town to walk, it has a luxurious lobby and good food, but shabby rooms and poor service. Our room has a cracked sink and we have a great deal of difficulty in getting our laundry picked up. There are no possibilities for access to the Internet and we cannot get change. However, we did our room is overlooking the Aegean Sea and we since will again be spending very little time in our room, it is tolerable.
Artemis Temple
Izmir, formerly known as Smyrna, is located on the Aegean Sea. This is the town where Homer was born in the 3rd millenium. Near Izmir is what some believe is the foundation of the last home of the Virgin Mary. The foundations do indeed date from the 1st century A.D. The site offers a wonderful view of the surrounding countryside and would be, as Tom remarks to our guide, a lovely place to die. We are there on a Sunday morning while a mass is being celebrated in English and we find it quite moving. We hear a reading from II Corinthians and wish we could stay for the entire service.
Mary's House
However, it is time to go on to Ephesus, a much anticipated destiny of this tour.
