On a quiet wooded hill above Ephesus stands a small stone house believed to be where the Virgin Mary spent her final years — one of Turkey’s most moving sacred sites.
The House of the Virgin Mary (Meryem Ana Evi) sits on Bülbül Mountain above Ephesus, near Selçuk. Christian tradition, supported by the visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich and confirmed by pilgrim popes, holds that St John brought Mary here after the crucifixion and that she lived out her final years on this peaceful hillside.
What You Will See
The restored stone chapel is small and simple, lit by candles, with a quiet reverence inside. Below the house is a wishing wall where visitors tie petitions, and a spring said to have healing properties. The setting — among pines with views over the valley — is deeply serene.
A Site Sacred to Two Faiths
The house is honoured by Christians and Muslims alike, since Mary (Meryem) is revered in Islam. It has been visited by several popes, making it one of the most important Marian shrines in the world.
How to Visit
The house is a short drive from Ephesus and is almost always combined with it. Dress modestly, arrive early to avoid tour crowds, and allow around an hour. Add it to an Ephesus visit or a full faith tourism itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the House of the Virgin Mary worth visiting?
Yes — it is one of the most peaceful and moving sacred sites in Turkey, revered by both Christians and Muslims, and easily combined with a visit to nearby Ephesus.
How do you get to the House of the Virgin Mary?
It is on Bülbül Mountain near Selçuk, a short drive above Ephesus. Most visitors come as part of an Ephesus tour or a Christian pilgrimage itinerary.
Do Muslims also visit the House of the Virgin Mary?
Yes. Mary (Meryem) is honoured in Islam, so the shrine is a rare sacred site venerated by both Christians and Muslims.
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