House of the Virgin Mary

The House of the Virgin Mary (Meryem Ana Evi) is a pilgrimage site in the pine woods of Bülbüldağı, the hill above Ephesus, south of the town of Selçuk. The small stone house is now a chapel, revered by Christians and by many Muslims, who honour Mary as well. It is run by a private foundation, not the state museum service, so treat it as a place of worship rather than a sight.

The visit follows a fixed path. A shaded walk brings you to the house; inside, you pass through in silence, and photography is not permitted. Below the house, steps lead down to the springs, considered holy, and then to the wishing wall, where visitors tie written prayers on paper or cloth. A statue of Mary along the path completes the circuit. Thirty to forty-five minutes is typical.

Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered. Mass is said regularly in the house; if you arrive during a service, keep quiet or wait. Public transport barely reaches the site, so come by taxi or car from Selçuk up a winding mountain road. The upper entrance to the ancient city of Ephesus is on the same road, which makes it easy to combine the two in one morning, followed by the Ephesus Museum and the Basilica of St John down in Selçuk. Check the hours on the museum page.