We learned that to miss most of the tour buses, you head out early. So, we decided to start with Mary's House at the top of the mountain and work our way down to Ephesus, then the Basilica, Citadel and Mosque, at the bottom of the mountain. The scenery/views on the drive up were breathtaking, despite the sun playing games of hide and seek. What beautiful views Mary must have enjoyed.
The countryside looked like a patchwork quilt of orchards, crops, vineyards; views of the Byzantine Aqueduct.
Monument to Mary halfway to the house. The plaque was interesting.
The Byzantine Aqueduct; two interesting farm sites.
Walls of the old city of Ephesus; a cave tomb spotted; other walls of the old city just along the roadside.
Mary, the Mother of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, Meryemana, no matter what name you use, this location of her last home is extremely sacred to many different faiths. There are 13 different language transcriptions of informational signs on the premises. There was a reverence, a peace, a quiet that we had not experienced at any other site, religious or otherwise. Mary's House was a wonderful experience and a site not to be missed.
According to the Gospel of St. John, Jesus, before dying on the cross, entrusted the care of His mother to John. St. John brought Mary with him to Ephesus (AD 37), where she spent the last years of her life in a modest stone house (AD45). The location of the house was found from a vision of a German Nun, which also paralleled other historical information. Pope Paul VI authenticated the site in 1967. The tomb of Mary is said to be about a mile from the house, but has never been located. The Assumption of the Virgin is celebrated in the house, which has been turned into a small chapel, every August 15, and a Mass is celebrated every Sunday in the outside area.
Small, unassuming stone house of Mary; the inside altar - cameras were not allowed inside, but thank goodness for zoom; the outside service area.
The spring/water source for the house; water still runs today.
This wall is just down from the spring. The Turks take a rag, paper, plastic, well, anything, and tie it to a wall at a special place, and make a wish. You can see how many were tied on, not only by the Turks, but many different cultures.
On the drive from Meryemana to the top entrance to Ephesus, we had our best views of Ayasuluk Hill with the Citadel, Basilica of St. John and the Isa Bey Mosque.
The Citadel, at the top; Basilica of St. John to the right and Isa Bey Mosque to the left.
Off to Ephesus.
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