Four Continents 2012

Selçuk: 28 August to 1 September

		Selçuk is a centre for the surrounding agricultural area, as illustrated by this row of tractors for sale outside a dealer's yard. *
		It was a quiet time for farmers, so the men gathered in the street cafés and played a Turkish version of dominoes. †
		The town centre has the remains of a Roman aqueduct running through it. †
		Any raised flat surface, including aqueduct piers, was topped with a storks' nest, but the storks had all left a day before we arrived. †
		The main square at night. †
		At the edge of town are the restored remains of the Basilica of St John. †
		*
		This is said to be the tomb of St John. *
		Nearby is the Isa Bey Camii mosque, built in 1375. †
		The remains of the minaret. *
		Interior of the mosque. *
		And its courtyard. †
		The Temple of Artemis was once larger than the Parthenon in Athens. Today there is only one rather lonely reconstructed column. †
		Selçuk has an excellent museum displaying items found at Ephesus and other nearby ancient sites. †
		*
		*
		Eros and Anteros. †
		*
		*
		A medium-sized statue of Artemis. †
		The large and well-known (but not well-lit) statue of Artemis. †
		Turtles for sale in the town centre. †
		Tortoises in the wild in our hotel's garden. *

We made three day trips from Selçuk. The first was to Ephesus.