House of Mary in Ephesus

 The Entrance to the House of the Virgin Mary ©aesta1. All rights reserved.

We were in Turkey last February. Upon arriving in Istanbul, we looked at some of the day trips on offer. The day trip to Ephesus got us interested. And what was the draw for me? The House of the Virgin Mary. 

This intrigued me more than the Greek and Roman ruins which we have seen many of. Besides, after Turkey, we were to go to Sicily and there would be lots of these over there. The House of the Virgin Mary was worth seeing. The story around the founding of this house is quite intriguing. As if, it really wanted to be found.

The House of the Virgin Mary ©aesta1. All rights reserved.

Legend claims that the Virgin Mary stayed in this house when after the death of Jesus, the Apostle and Evangelist John brought her here. Jesus entrusted her to John so he must have taken cared of her. It is said that she stayed here until her Assumption. There's a community not far from here who come for pilgrimage here every Assumption Day, August 15. Said practice has been a tradition in this community for many generations so who knows maybe it started after Mary's Assumption.

The Altar  at the House of Mary. ©aesta1. All rights reserved.

Anyway, the place is now used for pilgrimage and prayer. I did light a candle for special intentions and prayed for many family members and friends.

Here are some of my pictures of the place:

The Water from the Well ©aesta1. All rights reserved.

Candles Lighted by Pilgrims ©aesta1. All rights reserved.

Why Visit Turkey

The Library of Celsus ©aesta1. All rights reserved.

Turkey has now become one of my top cities to visit. As the only city to claim it's in 2 continents, Europe and Asia, it is interestingly unique. We stayed there for a week and although we stayed in Istanbul we also visited Ephesus and Cappadocia. You really must schedule these two places in your itinerary when you plan your trip to Turkey.

Derinkuyu Underground Village ©aesta1. All rights reserved.

The mix of cultures from the locals who lived there years ago to the Greeks, Romans and the Ottomans as well as the northern Africans who also went to its shores made today's Turkey a fascinating place not just for its heritage sites but for its food, art and crafts.

I have now started reading some of the novels about this wonderful country. I just finished A Thief's Tale by the famous historical fiction writer, Turney. Often, although fiction, these novels give me a picture of life at that time.

Carpet Weaver in Ephesus ©aesta1. All rights reserved.

Derinkuyu Underground Village ©aesta1. All rights reserved.

Cappadocia ©aesta1. All rights reserved.

The Cistern in Istanbul©aesta1. All rights reserved.