Last updated: September 2026
The House of the Virgin Mary, known in Turkish as Meryem Ana Evi, is a pilgrimage site set on Bülbül Mountain, near Ephesus and approximately 9 km from Selçuk.
According to Christian tradition, Mary lived in this region during her final years after being brought to Ephesus by St John.
The small stone building now functions as a chapel and welcomes visitors of different faiths.
The visit is relatively short. Allow roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Quick information
- Location: Bülbül Mountain, Selçuk, İzmir
- Distance from Selçuk: approximately 9 km
- Visit duration: about 45 minutes to 1 hour
- 2026 ticket for foreigners: 700 TL
- Approximate value: R$74
- Currently stated hours: 8am to 6pm
- Open: daily
- How to get there: taxi, car, transfer or tour
- Direct public transport: no regular option to the site
- Museum Pass: don't assume it's included
Prices checked in September 2026 and subject to change.
Is the House of the Virgin Mary worth visiting?
It depends a lot on the traveller's interest.
For anyone interested in the history of Christianity, pilgrimage or religious sites, it's one of the most significant visits in the Ephesus region.
The experience is different from an archaeological site.
Don't expect large ruins or a monumental building. The main interest lies in the religious tradition associated with the site and the atmosphere of the shrine.
Did the Virgin Mary really live here?
There's no definitive archaeological proof that Mary lived in this house.
The tradition gained momentum in the 19th century after descriptions attributed to the visions of the German nun Anne Catherine Emmerich led religious researchers to search for a site near Ephesus.
In 1891, Lazarist priests located the ruins of a building on Bülbül Mountain that matched several of these descriptions.
The site later became an important pilgrimage destination.
So it's best to understand the House of the Virgin Mary as a site of tradition and religious devotion, rather than a residence whose occupation by Mary has been historically proven.
What to see during the visit
The main area is the small stone house-chapel.
The interior is simple and used for prayer, so the visit tends to be quick.
The surrounding area also holds spaces linked to the shrine's tradition, including fountains and the well-known Wishing Wall, where visitors leave small requests and messages.
The site has a much calmer atmosphere than Ephesus.
Have popes visited the House of the Virgin Mary?
Yes.
The shrine has received important papal visits, contributing to its significance as a Catholic pilgrimage site.
These include visits from:
- Paul VI;
- John Paul II;
- Benedict XVI.
The site continues to host religious ceremonies and pilgrims.
How much does it cost to enter?
The currently stated rate for foreign visitors is:
700 TL per person
At the exchange rate used in September 2026:
700 TL ≈ R$74
Parking has its own charge when applicable.
Prices can change, so confirm close to your visit.
What are the hours?
The hours currently stated by the association responsible for the shrine are:
8am to 6pm
The House of the Virgin Mary operates daily.
Since it is also a religious site, ceremonies and special events can affect access to parts of the site.
How much time should you allow?
Most visitors can see the shrine in approximately:
45 minutes to 1 hour
Anyone planning to stay for prayer or attend a ceremony may need more time.
The duration should also account for travel time, since the site isn't in central Selçuk.
How to get there from Selçuk
The House of the Virgin Mary is on Bülbül Mountain, approximately 9 km from Selçuk.
The most practical options are:
- taxi;
- car;
- a driver;
- transfer;
- organised tour.
There's no direct regular public transport to the shrine.
Anyone without a car should arrange the round trip before heading up.
Can you combine it with Ephesus?
Yes.
The ancient city of Ephesus is relatively close, and the two sites often appear in the same itinerary.
However, Ephesus takes several hours.
If you plan to visit both on the same day, start early and arrange transport in advance.
The House of the Virgin Mary is much quicker to see.
How to behave during the visit
The house functions as a religious space.
Keep discreet behaviour inside the chapel and respect people who are praying.
Photography and other rules can vary within religious spaces, so follow the signage on site.
Is the House of the Virgin Mary the same thing as a church?
Not exactly.
The main building functions as a chapel and pilgrimage shrine.
Its significance is tied to the tradition that Mary lived in this region during the last years of her life.
Because of this, it frequently appears in religious itineraries through Ephesus and Selçuk.
Practical tips
- Allow roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Use 700 TL as a 2026 foreign-visitor reference rate.
- The currently stated hours are 8am to 6pm.
- Arrange round-trip transport.
- There's no direct regular bus to the shrine.
- Behave appropriately inside the chapel.
- Consider combining the visit with Ephesus.
- Confirm prices and hours again before your trip.