Archaeologous

St. John's Basilica

Entry fees

Ages Price
0 - 8 Free
9 - Adult €6

Notices

  • No wheelchair access

In ancient Selcuk (Ephesus) is the purported site of the tomb of Apostle John, author of the Book of Revelations.

It is believed that, at the request of the other disciples of Christ, Apostle John wrote his gospel in Ephesus. He later died inside the church in Ayasoluk Hill later named for him. The site has been built upon many times over the centuries from a small memorial church in the 4th century to a magnificent church in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian. Now, centuries after Arab raids and being converted into a mosque in 1330, and later being completely destroyed by Mongols in 1402, plus years of pillaging for building materials, the Basilica of St John has had some recent restorations.

FYI: While visiting you will see that some of the brick foundations and marble walls have been somewhat reconstructed. If the entire Basilica was completely restored it would be the seventh largest cathedral in the world. Thousands made pilgrimages to this sacred site in the Middle Ages.