On our road trip through the cities of the seven congregations of Revelation, we stopped at ancient Smyrna, now part of modern Izmir. Most of the ancient city lies beneath the modern one, but the excavated ruins were still worth seeing. These are our photographs and practical notes from the visit. We had just come from Ephesus, so our expectations were high. Smyrna is a smaller stop: we spent about an hour exploring it. The hardest part for us was driving through central Izmir and finding somewhere to park, so I’ve included the garage we used near the entrance. Where are the ruins of ancient Smyrna? The ruins are in the heart of modern Izmir. Nearly all of ancient Smyrna has a modern city built over it, so we saw only a small excavated section. We found that section beautiful. See the location on Google Maps . The ruins of Smyrna are right in the middle of the city of Izmir, Turkey The hardest part of our visit was navigating downtown traffic and finding a parking space. We used ...

We visited Ephesus in Turkey in 2020 to look for places and objects that helped us picture its Bible history. Here are eleven connections we noticed, along with our photographs and practical notes for finding your way around the site. We had also been to Ephesus in 2002. Returning years later, we found archaeologists at work and plenty more to explore. This guide records what we saw during our 2020 visit; access, displays and visitor information may have changed since then. Where is Ephesus? The location on Google Maps is here . But here are a few other locations off the site that you should know. The turnoff point on the road to get to the entrance Another back entrance, to avoid the crowds The Temple of Artemis The Grotto of the Seven Sleepers We had a nice little map to help us know our way around. Here it is: The map above helped us orient ourselves among the major features of the ancient city. Entrance to Ephesus We entered through the main entrance and used our MuseumKart. W...

We stopped at ancient Miletus during a road trip through western Turkey. I wanted to see a place mentioned in the account of the apostle Paul, but I also wondered how much of the city we could actually explore. We spent a couple of hours among the ruins, and I was glad we made the detour. Quick take: Miletus is a worthwhile stop if you enjoy ancient cities or are travelling between places connected with Bible history. The ruins cover a wide area, so wear shoes suited to rough paths. The museum was closed when we visited; check current access and hours before setting out. Where is Miletus? Miletus is in western Turkey, inland from the Aegean coast today. Here is the Miletus location on Google Maps . I recommend checking the route and current visitor information before your trip, since conditions can change. An aerial view of Miletus, with the visitor area to the right. Why Miletus matters in the Bible On his way to Jerusalem, Paul sailed to Miletus instead of stopping at Ephesus....

Colossae in Turkey is one of those unimpressive sites in the country. Not because of it’s importance in the Bible. But because it is completely unexcavated. Since we were travelling to the seven congregations addressed in Revelation, this site seemed too intriguing to pass up. Especially since it was almost along our route. First, let’s address a few questions. Where is Colossae located? This is the exact location of Colossae in modern day Turkey . The entrance to the mound is located here . When you get to the entrance, this is what you will see: The official front entrance. No one was there. The location in proximity to other cities It’s important to understand the location of Colossae in relation to other cities of early Christianity. A days walk during the life of the Apostle Paul was about 25 miles. Here is a map with the travel distances between cities at that time in Asia Minor: Colossae to: Ephesus – 128 miles (5 day walk) Laodicea – 12 miles (1/2 day walk) Philadelphia – 6...

We stopped at Obruk Han while visiting the nearby Kızören Sinkhole outside Konya. The two are so close that it made sense to see them together. The historic caravanserai looked almost like a small fortress, but the most interesting part for me was its stonework: older carved blocks appeared among the walls. Our quick take: Obruk Han is a worthwhile addition to a visit to Kızören Sinkhole . On our visit, restoration work kept us out of the interior, so these impressions are of the exterior and the surrounding area. The building's use has since changed; check current access before travelling. What is Obruk Han? A han is an inn or caravanserai used by travellers and merchants. Obruk Han dates from the Seljuk period and stands beside the Kızören Sinkhole. From outside, its heavy walls made us think of a castle. It was not the sort of historic site we would usually go out of our way to visit, but the combination of the building and the sinkhole caught our attention. When we were...

The largest sinkhole in Turkey was a nice stop on the way back from Salt Lake . This plateau (locals call it Obruk Plateau) has many sinkholes and this is one of the better ones. It is in fact the largest sinkhole in Turkey. I really don’t recommend seeing it unless it’s along the way. Facts about the sinkhole It is 228 meters across and 171 meters deep. The water is generally 140 meters deep (according to one local there) Set in limestone The water level fluctuates about 10 meters per year Most online pictures are misleading The picture above is a true representation of what Kizoren Sinkhole (or as the locals call it Kizoren Lake) looks like. There are so many pictures out there that doctor the picture up to appear with stunning colors. The truth is that it is pretty much as plain as you see it above. You will notice though that the sun shines across the sinkhole and the shades of light will cast slight hues on the water – from very dark red to green. But it’s nothing like those ...

Salt Lake, Turkey, or Tüz Gölü is another world experience. We went there with low expectations and now find ourselves going back there time and again to bring friends. After going there a few times, I want to share with you what we have learned and some tips to make your trip special. Like many tourist destinations in Turkey, this one is almost completely unexploited. No motels, developed beaches, or even road signs to give tourists the indication that this place is a must see. There aren’t even any proper roads! Hence, I would say this is an undiscovered treasure of Turkey. It doesn’t rate as high as say Pamukkale, but it’s not far behind. And if you know the right places to go, it’s unforgettable. Crystal formations on the shore. When you first drive by it, you are like “What!”. It should really be called The Red Sea. I didn’t use Photoshop or any special filter in my pictures. They are exactly what you see in August. But I will add that late summer is probably the best time ...