The citadel of Ayasuluk, located close to Ephesus, was built by the Byzantines, although the exact date of construction is unknown. Due to finds of Mycenaean pottery and other artifacts here, it is thought that the acropolis was used by indigenous Anatolian people before the arrival of the Ionian Greeks around 1000 BC.

The Turks rebuilt and added to the citadel, which has 15 watchtowers and contains numerous cisterns, the remains of a Byzantine church and a small mosque.

Because the fortress was until recently used by the Turkish military, it was inaccessible to the public for many years. Following renovation and restoration work it was opened to the public, but then closed again, apparently because of unsafe structures. (My Favourite Planet)

Encounter at District Wharf, posted earlier