Selçuk

Infobox Settlement

settlement_type = Town
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = TUR
timezone=EET
utc_offset=+2
map_caption =Location of PAGENAME within Turkey.
timezone_DST=EEST
utc_offset_DST=+3
official_name = Selçuk

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image_caption = The grand fortress of Selçuk on Ayasoluk Hill
image_blank_emblem =
blank_emblem_type =


subdivision_type1=Region
subdivision_name1 = Aegean
subdivision_type2=Province
subdivision_name2 = İzmir
population_total = 23000|population_footnotes=
population_as_of =| 2000
population_footnotes =
population_density_km2 =
area_total_km2 =
elevation_m =
postal_code_type=Postal code
postal_code = 35920
blank_info = 35|blank_name=Licence plate
area_code = 232
leader_title=Mayor
leader_name = Hüseyin Vefa Ülgür
website = [http://www.selcuk.bel.tr http://www.selcuk.bel.tr]
leader_title1=Governor
leader_name1 = Aziz İnci
gwebsite = [http://www.selcuk.gov.tr/default.asp?L=EN http://www.selcuk.gov.tr]

Selçuk is the central town of Selçuk district, İzmir Province in Turkey, convert|18|km|mi|0|abbr=on northeast of Kuşadası, convert|3|km|mi|0|abbr=on northeast of Ephesus. Its original name was Ayios Theologos (Greek: Άγιος Θεολόγος), from which the Ottoman Turkish name Ayasluğ is derived. In 1914 it was renamed Selçuk, after the Seljuk Turks who settled in the region in the 12th century.

Selçuk is one of the most visited touristic destinations within Turkey, known for its closeness to the ancient city of Ephesus, House of the Virgin Mary and Seljukian 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. With the vast majority of tourists only using Selçuk as a stopping point for Ephesus and not visiting the town itself, the old quarter of Selçuk remains generally undisturbed and undeveloped, retaining traditional Turkish culture and locality.

Ayasoluk Hill dominates the surrounding area, with several historical buildings on its slopes, including the İsa Bey Mosque built by the Seljuk Turks in 1375, and the Grand Fortress.

The Ephesus Airport and Selçuk Training Center of the Turkish Aeronautical Association is only 3 kilometers away from Selçuk, offering piloting, parachuting, and microlight training.

The annual camel wrestling championship takes place in Selçuk in the Winter, near Ephesus

See also

*Ephesus
*Temple of Artemis
*House of the Virgin Mary
*Şirince

Twin cities

*flagicon|GER Siegburg, Germany

External links

*
* [http://www.selcuk.gov.tr/default.asp?L=EN| Selçuk District, governmental site]
* [http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/WhereToGo/Aegean/Ephesus/SelcukTown.html Selcuk - Turkey Travel Planner by Tom Brosnahan]
* [http://www.pbase.com/dosseman/selcuk Pictures of Selçuk]