House of the Virgin Mary & Basilica of St. John

Visit two sites of great religious significance and pilgrimage, the house where the Virgin Mary purportedly spent the last days of her life, and the remains of the Basilica of St. John, built on the site where the apostle is believed to have been buried. It is said that John wrote his gospel while living in Ephesus. During the 4th century, a church was built on the site of his grave, but during the 6th century, the Emperor Justinian replaced it with a church of magnificent proportions, with the central dome right above the tomb. Thousands of faithful pilgrims visited the sacred site throughout the middle ages. It is also said that the apostle John brought the Virgin Mary to Ephesus after leaving Jerusalem. She first lived in a house in the city of Ephesus, until the house on Bulbul Mountain was built. This place of pilgrimage is visited by hundreds of tourists and pilgrims every day and it remains a holy place for Christians and Muslims alike. You’ll stop at a leather outlet for refreshments and a shopping opportunity before returning to your ship in Izmir. Note: Expect crowded venues and extreme heat, especially during summer months. There is approximately 1 3/4 miles of walking over uneven surfaces, numerous steps and some inclines on this tour.