House of the
Virgin Mary Info
History House of Virgin Mary
The House of the Virgin Mary (Meryem Ana Evi) is a Catholic shrine on Mount Koressos (Bulbul Mountain), in the hills above the ancient city of Ephesus near Selcuk, Izmir, Turkey. According to Christian tradition, the Apostle John brought Mary, the mother of Jesus, to Ephesus after the crucifixion, and she spent the last years of her life in this quiet place.
The small stone house you see today is a restored Byzantine-era chapel built on older foundations. Since the 19th century it has become an important pilgrimage site for both Christians and Muslims and has been visited by several popes. Together with Ephesus, it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage area.
On Mount Koressos (Bulbul Mountain), in the hills above Ephesus
- About 7–9 km from the town of Selcuk
- About 5–6 km from the upper (Magnesia) gate of the Ephesus archaeological site.
- Around 70 km from Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport by road.
The road up the mountain is an asphalt road with bends and is mostly uphill from Ephesus.
Where is the House of Virgin Mary?
How to get to the House of Virgin Mary by car
From Izmir city or Izmir Airport
- Take the highway towards Aydin, following the signs for Selcuk / Ephesus.
- When you reach Selcuk, follow the brown tourist signs for “Ephesus (Efes)” and then “Meryem Ana Evi / House of Virgin Mary.”
- From Selcuk it is about a 10–15 minute drive (around 9 km) up to the shrine.
From Ephesus Ancient City
- From the upper gate (Magnesia Gate), follow the road that climbs the mountain; there are clear signs for the House of Virgin Mary.
- You will also see a large statue of Mary on the way up, a common photo stop before reaching the shrine.
Parking is available next to the entrance of the site (paid parking operated by the shrine).
There is no regular direct public transport that goes all the way to the entrance of the House of Virgin Mary. Most visitors use one of these options:
1. Taxi from Selcuk
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Taxis are available in Selcuk town center and at the bus station (Otogar).
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The drive takes about 10 minutes.
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The usual system is to agree on a round-trip price, including:
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Transfer from Selcuk to the House of Virgin Mary
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Waiting time while you visit (often 20–40 minutes)
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Return either to Selcuk or to Ephesus
This is the easiest and most common way for independent travelers.
2. Rental car
If you have a rental car, simply follow the signs from Selcuk to Ephesus and then to Meryem Ana Evi. The road is paved and in good condition, but it is narrow and winding in some sections.
3. Walking / hiking (for very fit visitors only)
Technically it is possible to walk up from the Ephesus area to the House of Virgin Mary, but it is steep and long (around 5–6 km uphill from the upper gate, about 8–9 km from Selcuk town), and there is little shade in summer. Most visitors do not choose this option.
How to go to House of Mary of Jesus with your car?
From Izmir you can take a bus or minibus to Selcuk bus station. Services run frequently during the day.
From Selcuk you can take a dolmus or taxi to Ephesus itself, but dolmus do not usually continue up to the House of Virgin Mary.
From Selcuk or Ephesus you then need to continue by taxi or tour to reach the shrine.
Some navigation apps may show bus routes close to the area, but in practice visitors should not rely on a public bus going directly to the entrance of the shrine.
Using buses and minibuses (dolmus)
If you prefer not to arrange transport yourself, you can join an organized tour.
From Izmir (for example, Alsancak district) and from Kusadasi there are many daily tours that include:
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Ephesus Ancient City
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House of the Virgin Mary
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Optional visits to Sirince Village or other local sights
Advantages of a tour:
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Hotel pick-up and drop-off
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Professional guide explaining the history and religious importance
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All transport arranged in one package
This is a comfortable and time-saving option, especially if you have only one day in the area.
Visiting with an organized tour
For easy navigation, you can search in Google Maps for:
“House of the Virgin Mary” or “Meryem Ana Evi, Selcuk”
You can start navigation from Izmir, Selcuk, Kusadasi or directly from Ephesus and follow the driving directions up the mountain.