Visiting Basilica of St. John & Castle of Ayasoluk at Ephesus in Selcuk, Turkey
Author: Janice Vazquez | Last updated: February 15, 2024
The Basilica of St. John was built in the 6th century and stands on the presumed burial site of St. John, the Apostle. It is believed that St. John spent his last years in the region around Ephesus. On the adjacent hill, the Castle of Ayasoluk served as a strategic fortress against invaders. The castle provides a glimpse into the region’s diverse history and features impressive panoramic views of Selcuk.
Selcuk is an incredible city to visit in Turkey due to its proximity to the most popular attractions in Turkey. The attractions include the Ephesus Archaeological Site, Ephesus Archaeological Museum, Temple of Artemis, and House of Virgin Mary. In this article, I’ll share my experience visiting the Basilica of St. John & Castle of Ayasoluk in Selcuk, Turkey.
Basilica of St. John & Castle of Ayasoluk
During my visit to the Basilica of St. John and the Castle of Ayasoluk, our taxi driver dropped my family and me at the front entrance. Passing through the Gate of Persecution, I proceeded along the stone path to the ticket booth. Following directional signs, I entered the basilica by walking through a set of columns, which appeared to be the main entrance.
Inside, I was captivated by the beautiful archways that echoed the interior design of the basilica.
Tomb of St. John
I saw the tomb of St. John and read the information panel to learn about his life. Between 37 and 48 A.D., St. John and The Virgin Mary arrived at Ephesus to spend the remainder of their lives. While Jesus was being crucified, he entrusted his mother to St. John, his most loved disciple. It is believed that John and Mary never parted from one another. During his time in Ephesus, St John wrote the gospel, prayed, and spent the last years of his life on Ayasuluk Hill.
Before his death at the age of 100, St. John expressed a wish to be buried in Ephesus. In the era, when Christianity began to spread around 3rd – 4th century A.D., a martyrion (Monumental Tomb) was built over the grave. Later, a Basilica with a wooden roof was built around the martyrion.
Baptism
Moving on to the next room, I explored the basilica’s rooms and stumbled upon the baptism room.
Atrium
As I proceeded down the path, I headed towards the open-air atrium, offering a picturesque view of Selcuk. After spending 45 minutes exploring the rooms, I ascended the hill towards the Castle of Ayasoluk. Midway up, I came across a map and 3D model of the Basilica of St. John, providing a visual representation of the basilica’s original appearance.
Castle of Ayasoluk
Taking an additional 5 minutes, I reached the Castle of Ayasoluk situated at the highest point of Ayasuluk Hill, north of the Church of St. John. The existing walls belong to the Seljukid-Ottoman Periods. According to tradition, St. John wrote his Gospel on this beautiful hill and prayed there. This church might have been built for the memory of St. John.
Within the citadel are remnants of a palace, mosque, and Turkish bath, although most are in ruins. Despite this, I was impressed with the citadel walls and panoramic views of Selcuk. After about 15 minutes exploring the castle, I descended to the main entrance, where our taxi driver awaited to transport us to the next attraction.
Related Posts
Visiting the House of Virgin Mary at Ephesus in Selcuk, Turkey
