On a summer day in 1881, French priest Abbé Julien Gouyet climbed the forested slopes of Mt. Koressos near ancient Ephesus, a German book in his hands. The book contained the transcribed visions of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, a bedridden Augustinian nun who had never left Germany yet described in extraordinary detail a stone house where the Virgin Mary had lived her final years. Following Emmerich's precise descriptions—a spring nearby, a view of the sea, the layout of the rooms—Gouyet found the ruins of a small stone dwelling exactly where the mystic had said it would be.
Local Greek Christians called the place Panaya Kapulu, "Doorway to the Virgin," and had made pilgrimages there for centuries. Today, the House of the Virgin Mary on Mt. Koressos draws over two million pilgrims annually, making it one of the most visited Marian shrines in the world. The site holds unique ecumenical significance: Mary (Meryem Ana) is venerated by Muslims as the mother of Prophet Jesus (Isa), and many Muslim pilgrims visit alongside Christians, making Mt. Koressos a profound place of interfaith encounter.
📜 History & Spiritual Significance
The tradition that Mary lived her final years at Ephesus rests on solid scriptural and historical foundations. The Gospel of John records Jesus's words from the cross: "Woman, behold your son," and to John, "Behold your mother." From that hour, John took Mary into his home (John 19:26-27). Ancient sources confirm that John ministered at Ephesus, and the Council of Ephesus (431 AD) chose this city to proclaim Mary's title Theotokos (God-bearer)—a choice that suggests an early connection between Mary and Ephesus.
The modern story of the House of the Virgin Mary begins with Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774-1824), a German Augustinian nun who received mystical visions throughout her life. Though confined to her bed by illness and having never traveled beyond Germany, Emmerich described in vivid detail the location and appearance of Mary's final dwelling place. The romantic poet Clemens Brentano transcribed her visions, publishing them posthumously.
In 1881, French priest Abbé Julien Gouyet used Emmerich's descriptions to locate the ruins on Mt. Koressos (Turkish: Bülbüldağı, "Mount Nightingale"). Ten years later, on July 29, 1891, Lazarist missionaries from Izmir confirmed the discovery and began restoration. Archaeological investigations revealed foundations dating to the 1st century AD, consistent with the apostolic age, while the visible structure dates from the 6th-7th centuries.
Official Church Recognition
The Catholic Church has given the site significant endorsement:
- 1896 — Pope Leo XIII formally recognized Mary's House as an official place of pilgrimage, transferring plenary indulgences from the Dormition church in Jerusalem to this shrine
- 1951 — Pope Pius XII declared it a Holy Place following the dogmatic definition of the Assumption
- 1961 — Pope John XXIII reaffirmed its sacred status
- 2006 — Pope Benedict XVI personally celebrated Mass at the shrine
Papal Pilgrimages
- July 26, 1967 — Pope Paul VI (first papal visit to the shrine)
- November 30, 1979 — Pope St. John Paul II
- November 29, 2006 — Pope Benedict XVI
☩ Pilgrimage Sites at Mt. Koressos
House of the Virgin Mary (Meryem Ana Evi)
The traditional final dwelling of the Mother of God
This small stone chapel, measuring just 13 meters by 6 meters, is believed to be where Mary spent her last years under John's care. The interior contains two main spaces: a larger room with an altar and statue of Mary, and a smaller room traditionally identified as Mary's bedroom. The original foundations date to the 1st century.
The shrine complex includes three holy springs representing health, wealth, and love; a Wishing Wall where pilgrims leave written prayers on paper and cloth; a keyhole-shaped baptismal pool from the early Christian era; and extensive gardens for prayer and contemplation.
Visitor Information: Open daily, Summer 8:00-18:00, Winter 8:00-17:00. Admission 300 TL (2024), included in Ephesus Museum Pass. Modest attire required (shoulders and knees covered).
Basilica of Saint John
Traditional tomb of the Apostle who cared for Mary
Built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century over the traditional burial site of St. John the Apostle, this massive basilica was one of the largest churches in the Byzantine Empire. Though now in ruins, the site preserves John's tomb beneath the central altar and offers profound reflection on his role as Mary's guardian.
Church of Mary (Double Church)
Site of the Council of Ephesus (431 AD)
Within the ancient Ephesus archaeological site, this 4th-century basilica hosted the Council that proclaimed Mary Theotokos (God-bearer). Though roofless, the church's significance for Marian doctrine makes it essential for pilgrims.
St. John's Cathedral Basilica (Izmir)
Seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese
The only surviving church of the Seven Churches of Revelation, this neo-classical cathedral (1862-1874) serves as the mother church of the archdiocese. Pilgrims can attend Mass in English, Turkish, or Polish and venerate relics of St. John.
🕯️ Annual Feast Days & Celebrations
Solemnity of the Assumption — August 15
The principal feast draws thousands of pilgrims for outdoor Mass at the shrine. This celebration connects to centuries of local veneration by Greek Christian villagers who made annual pilgrimages on this day.
Anniversary of Discovery — July 29
Commemoration of the 1891 confirmation of the site by Lazarist missionaries.
Feast of the Immaculate Conception — December 8
Special Marian devotions at the shrine. Contact the Archdiocese of Izmir for current Mass schedules.
🛏️ Where to Stay
Hotel Mary's House ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Family-run hotel 450m from Basilica of St. John with mountain views and traditional Turkish hospitality. Website ∙ Reserve this hotel
Ephesus Centrum Selcuk Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Boutique hotel in Selçuk center with easy access to Ephesus and Mary's House. Website ∙ Reserve this hotel
The Pilgrim Ephesus Hotel ⭐⭐⭐ — Modern pilgrim-focused hotel opened in 2023 with garden setting. Website ∙ Reserve this hotel
Cella Boutique Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Historic stone house conversion near ancient ruins. Reserve this hotel
🚗 Getting There
By Air: Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) is 60 km away (1 hour by car). Istanbul Airport (IST) offers international connections with domestic flights to Izmir.
By Train: İZBAN commuter rail connects Izmir to Selçuk Station (1 hour). From Selçuk, take a taxi to the shrine (7 km, approximately 15 minutes).
By Bus: Frequent buses run from Izmir to Selçuk (1.5 hours). Local dolmuş minibuses connect to the shrine, or take a taxi.
By Car: From Izmir, take the D550 highway south (80 km, approximately 1 hour). From Kuşadası, the shrine is 19 km via D515 (approximately 20 minutes). Parking available at the shrine entrance.
📚 Further Reading
Books:
Anne Catherine Emmerich, The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary — The mystic visions that led to the shrine's discovery.
Atalay, Ephesus: The House of Virgin Mary — Comprehensive guidebook to the region.
🎥 Recommended Videos
The House of Virgin Mary in Ephesus - One of the Holiest Places in Turkey — Documentary on interfaith significance.
Footprints of God Pilgrimage to Ephesus — Catholic pilgrimage experience with Steve Ray.
🔗 Useful Links
House of Virgin Mary Official Site — Visitor information and history.
Archdiocese of Izmir — Local Catholic church resources.
Ephesus Museum — Archaeological context.
🧭 Nearby Pilgrimage Destinations
Ancient Ephesus (3 km) — One of the best-preserved Roman cities, including the Church of Mary where the Council of Ephesus (431) proclaimed Mary Theotokos.
Basilica of St. John, Selçuk (7 km) — Traditional tomb of the Apostle who cared for Mary.
Seven Churches of Revelation — The churches addressed in Revelation 2-3 are all within day-trip distance: Smyrna (Izmir, 80 km), Pergamon (100 km), Thyatira (150 km), Sardis (90 km), Philadelphia (130 km), and Laodicea (200 km).
Pamukkale/Hierapolis (200 km east) — Early Christian site with the Martyrium of St. Philip the Apostle.
Alexandria, Egypt (800 km by sea) — Saint Mark's cathedral and early Christian heritage.
🪶 Closing Reflection
"In this Eucharistic celebration we praise the Lord for Mary's divine motherhood, a mystery solemnly confessed and proclaimed in Ephesus at the Ecumenical Council of 431... Strengthened by God's word, from here in Ephesus, a city blessed by the presence of Mary Most Holy—who we know is loved and venerated also by Muslims—let us lift up to the Lord a special prayer for peace between peoples." — Pope Benedict XVI, Homily at Ephesus, November 29, 2006
