ITINERARY

• Meet your guide at your hotel, port in Kuşadası or Selçuk around 08:30 am. On the 20-minute drive to the Virgin Mary House, you will get a short introduction to the local history. The Virgin Mary House is a pilgrimage site on the Aladağ mountain, south of Ephesus. Hear the story of Mary’s journey to Ephesus after Jesus' crucifixion and visit a small shrine that attracts Christian pilgrims from all over the world.
• Meryemana, also known as The Virgin Mary's House, is a revered pilgrimage site near Ephesus in Turkey. It is believed to be the final home of the Virgin Mary, where she lived her last years after the crucifixion of Jesus. The small stone house, now a chapel, attracts thousands of Christian pilgrims and tourists each year. The site also features a sacred spring, where visitors can collect holy water.
• The Ancient City of Ephesus is a well-preserved archaeological site located in modern-day Turkey. It was once a major Greek city and later became a significant Roman city, known for its grand architecture and bustling trade. Ephesus is home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The city also features the impressive Library of Celsus and a large amphitheater that could hold up to 25,000 spectators. Visitors can explore its ancient streets, lined with remnants of shops, houses, and public buildings, offering a glimpse into life during its peak.
• The State Agora of Ephesus, built in the 1st century B.C., served as a governmental meeting place rather than a commercial hub. Excavations revealed it was a necropolis in the archaic period, with graves, a terra cotta sarcophagus, and a stone-paved road. A water reservoir here, fed by the Pollio Aqueduct, underscores its importance; aqueduct remains are visible 5 kilometers away on the Selçuk-Aydın highway.
• Built in the 2nd century A.D., this small theatre in Ephesus served as a Bouleuterion for Senate meetings and an Odeum for concerts, seating 1,500. Its two-storey stage featured columns, a narrow podium, and three doors. Restorations include parts of the podium and seating, and it once had a wooden roof. While public assemblies met in the Great Theatre, the Bouleia gathered here.
• At the south end of Domitian Street, Ephesus’s first emperor-dedicated temple, built under Domitian, stood on a 50x100 meter terrace with visible stairs. It featured a pro-style design with columns and a u-shaped altar, now in the Izmir Museum. This temple earned Ephesus the prestigious "neocoros" title.
• The Hercules Gate at the end of Curetes Street, with a 2nd-century Hercules relief, was relocated in the 4th century A.D. Its design narrowed the street, marking it as a pedestrian zone, and only the side columns remain today.
• The Temple of Hadrian, built before 138 A.D., features a curved arch with a relief of Tyche, supported by Corinthian columns. Dedicated to Emperor Hadrian after his 128 A.D. visit, its pedestal once held statues of later emperors, now lost.
• The Ephesus terrace houses, dating from the 1st century B.C. to the 7th century A.D., showcase Roman family life and urban design. Preserved mosaics and frescoes are displayed in two houses open as a museum.
• Built in 117 A.D., the Celsus Library in Ephesus served as a tomb for Gaius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus and housed over 14,000 scrolls. Protected by double walls, it was the third-largest library of the ancient world, after Alexandria and Pergamum.
• The Temple of Artemis, located in Ephesus, was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Dedicated to the goddess Artemis, it was renowned for its grand scale and magnificent marble construction. Although only a few columns remain today, it was once a major cultural and religious center. The temple attracted visitors from all over the ancient world, contributing to Ephesus' status as a significant city in antiquity.
• Saint John Church, also known as the Basilica of St. John, is a historic church located near the ancient city of Ephesus in Turkey. It was built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in the 6th century over the believed tomb of St. John the Apostle. The church was once a grand structure, featuring impressive architecture with six domes and a cruciform layout. Today, its ruins are a significant archaeological site, attracting visitors interested in its historical and religious significance.
• The caravanserai, built between 1615 and 1618, was commissioned by Öküz Mehmed Pasha, a former Grand Vizier and Governor of Ottoman Egypt. Designed like a fortress, it served as a customs house, reflecting the needs of its era.
• After a day filled with history and exploration, we will drive you back to your port or hotel, where you can relax and reflect on the fascinating sights you've experienced.