Temple of Artemis, Ephesus

My tour guide told me not to expect much. We visited the site of the Temple of Artemis, the 7th Wonder of the World. The remaining ruins are in marshy land and are pitiful.

House of the Virgin Mary

The Virgin Mary spent her last days in Ephesus, Turkey.

Driving up to the location, you will see a large Virgin Mary statue. The statue faces a beautiful view of the ancient ruins of Ephesus in the distance.

The building is a modest chapel. Outside, you can write your wishes and use water from the same source as the Virgin Mary. If you don't want to buy the "holy water" from the souvenir shop, you can bring your own bottle and fill it at the tap there.

I purchased my cross from the souvenir shop there.

Ephesus - Classical City of the Eastern Mediterranean

Ephesus was an ancient Greek city, and later a major Roman city. We got to see the market area (downtown and uptown), the public latrines, the oldest advertising for a brothel (the footprint), Library of Celsus and Hadrian's Temple. Was told by our guide that we were walking in the footsteps of Cleopatra, Mark Anthony and the Virgin Mary. Only 15% of city is excavated, I would love to return to see what the city looks like in 30 years.

Not too far from the ruins is the House of the Virgin Mary, a house where she supposedly lived in her final years. Standing near the entrance of the Ephesus archeological site, if you look left, high up in the hills you will be able to see a cross marking the location of the House of the Virgin Mary.