The House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus is a small stone structure dating back to the 4th century AD, located on Mount Koressos (Bülbül Dağı, "Nightingale Mountain"), about 6 km from ancient Ephesus (near the town of Selçuk). Today, it serves as a chapel with an altar, surrounded by a prayer terrace and a holy spring.
While the building itself dates to the 4th–5th centuries, its foundation may belong to the 1st century AD (the apostolic era). In the 19th century, the German nun Anne Catherine Emmerich (a stigmatist who had never been to Turkey) described visions of the Virgin Mary’s house near Ephesus. In 1891, French priests discovered ruins matching her descriptions.
Since the early 1950s, the House of the Virgin Mary has attracted numerous pilgrims from all Christian denominations. According to the Gospel of John (19:26–27), Jesus entrusted Mary to the Apostle John’s care. Tradition holds that due to persecution in Jerusalem, John brought the Virgin Mary to Ephesus, where he later wrote his Gospel and the Book of Revelation.
The Apostle John wrote the Book of Revelation (Apocalypse) on the island of Patmos but completed and disseminated it in Ephesus. The apostle died around 100 AD in extreme old age, having outlived all the other apostles. His tomb in Ephesus became a place of veneration, and later a magnificent basilica was erected over it, comparable in significance to the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople. Its ruins have been preserved in the town of Selçuk.
Early Christian Testimonies
• At the Council of Ephesus (431 AD), the Virgin Mary was proclaimed Theotokos ("Mother of God").
• Byzantine pilgrims mentioned a church dedicated to her in this area.
• Although the Bible states that Mary lived and died in Jerusalem (where the Church of the Dormition now stands), early Christian tradition suggests she spent her final years in Ephesus with John before returning to Jerusalem before her death.
Does the Church Recognize the House of the Virgin Mary?
Catholic Church: While it does not officially confirm the house’s authenticity, three popes have visited:
• Pope Paul VI (1967) – Declared it a "place worthy of veneration."
• Pope John Paul II (1979) – Called it a "shrine for all Christians."
• Pope Benedict XVI (2006) – Held a Mass here.
Orthodox Church: Views it cautiously, but many Orthodox pilgrims visit.
Islam: Reveres Mary (Meryem) and acknowledges the site’s holiness.
Traditions & Miracles
• Pilgrims leave prayer notes on the "Wishing Wall."
• The spring water is believed to have healing properties.
• Some believers claim miraculous healings have occurred here.
House of the Virgin Mary is nestled in the mountains, 7 km from Selçuk, accessible via a winding forest road. Entry fee: Around $5, open daily. Though no historical proof exists, the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus remains a powerful symbol of faith and a place of interreligious dialogue. For some, it is a miracle; for others, a beautiful tradition—but its spiritual significance is undeniable.
