High on the wooded slopes of Mount Koressos (Bülbül Dağı), a short drive above Ephesus, sits a small stone house that draws over a million visitors a year — Christian pilgrims, Muslim visitors, and curious travelers alike. This is the House of the Virgin Mary (Meryem Ana Evi), believed by many to be the place where Mary, the mother of Jesus, spent her final years. It's one of the most meaningful stops near Ephesus.

The Story Behind the House

Tradition holds that the Apostle John brought Mary to Ephesus after the crucifixion, and that she lived out her last years here. The specific building was identified in the 19th century based on the detailed visions of a German nun, Anne Catherine Emmerich, who had never traveled to the region — yet her descriptions reportedly matched a ruined house that searchers later found on the hill. The oldest parts of the structure date to around the 6th–7th century, built on earlier foundations.

A Place of Pilgrimage for Everyone

What makes the House of the Virgin Mary special is how widely it is revered. It has been visited and blessed by several Popes — Paul VI in 1967, John Paul II in 1979, and Benedict XVI in 2006. Mary is also honored in Islam, so the site is a rare place of shared devotion. Outside the chapel you'll find a spring whose water is believed by many to be healing, and a wishing wall where visitors tie notes and prayers.

What to Expect

The house itself is small, simple, and quiet — a single modest chapel where visitors file through respectfully. This is not a grand cathedral; its power is in its humility and setting. Dress modestly and keep your voice low, as people come here to pray.

Visiting Information (2026)

Location: On Mount Koressos, about 7 km from Selçuk and Ephesus, reached by car or taxi up a winding forest road.

Entrance fee: around 700 TL per person (about €13.5). Payment is by credit card only.

Hours: roughly 08:00–18:00 (about 08:30–17:00 in winter); last entry 30 minutes before closing.

How to Combine It

Most visitors see the House of the Virgin Mary on the same day as Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis. Because it's up a hill with no public transport, a taxi or tour is the practical way to get there — see getting to Ephesus for the wider logistics, and the best time to visit to plan around the crowds.

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