Basilica of Saint John, Ephesus (must see)
The Basilica of Saint John stands as a powerful symbol of early Christian faith and imperial devotion. Built in the 6th century AD by Emperor Justinian I and his wife Theodora, the basilica was constructed over the believed burial site of John the Evangelist鈥攁lso known as John the Apostle and the Gospel writer. Tradition holds that John came to Ephesus with the Virgin Mary between 38 and 47 AD, after Jesus entrusted her to his care during the Crucifixion. He wrote his Gospel in Ephesus and the Book of Revelation during his exile on the Greek island of Patmos. After returning to Ephesus, John lived out his final years on what is now called Ayasuluk Hill and died at the age of 98, likely during the reign of Emperor Trajan.
Initially, a modest chapel was built over his grave in the 4th century. This structure was later replaced by the grand basilica, which was designed in the shape of a cross and crowned with six domes. The central dome rose above John's tomb, once surrounded by four sturdy columns. The church鈥檚 construction, using both stone and brick, was rare for its time and remains a significant architectural achievement. Elements like the marble-covered tomb and columns bearing the monograms of Justinian and Theodora highlight the imperial support behind its creation. The baptistery, with its keyhole shape resembling the Jordan River, dates from the 5th century and lies just north of the nave.
Over time, the basilica became an important pilgrimage site. Visitors believed the dust from John鈥檚 grave had miraculous healing properties. In the apse, the synthronon鈥攕emicircular seating for clergy鈥攕till reveals the ecclesiastical layout. The north transept held a treasury, later converted into a chapel, and its preserved mosaics exemplify the finer, smaller designs of Byzantine craftsmanship. Rampart walls were added during the 7th and 8th centuries to defend the site from Arab attacks, and by the 10th century, vibrant frescoes adorned the chapel walls, depicting St. John and Jesus.
The basilica's fate changed with the Turkish invasion in the 14th century, when it was briefly used as a mosque before being severely damaged by an earthquake. Though now in ruins, the Basilica of Saint John remains one of the most significant Christian monuments in Anatolia, second in size only to the Hagia Sophia during its time.
Initially, a modest chapel was built over his grave in the 4th century. This structure was later replaced by the grand basilica, which was designed in the shape of a cross and crowned with six domes. The central dome rose above John's tomb, once surrounded by four sturdy columns. The church鈥檚 construction, using both stone and brick, was rare for its time and remains a significant architectural achievement. Elements like the marble-covered tomb and columns bearing the monograms of Justinian and Theodora highlight the imperial support behind its creation. The baptistery, with its keyhole shape resembling the Jordan River, dates from the 5th century and lies just north of the nave.
Over time, the basilica became an important pilgrimage site. Visitors believed the dust from John鈥檚 grave had miraculous healing properties. In the apse, the synthronon鈥攕emicircular seating for clergy鈥攕till reveals the ecclesiastical layout. The north transept held a treasury, later converted into a chapel, and its preserved mosaics exemplify the finer, smaller designs of Byzantine craftsmanship. Rampart walls were added during the 7th and 8th centuries to defend the site from Arab attacks, and by the 10th century, vibrant frescoes adorned the chapel walls, depicting St. John and Jesus.
The basilica's fate changed with the Turkish invasion in the 14th century, when it was briefly used as a mosque before being severely damaged by an earthquake. Though now in ruins, the Basilica of Saint John remains one of the most significant Christian monuments in Anatolia, second in size only to the Hagia Sophia during its time.
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Basilica of Saint John on Map
Sight Name: Basilica of Saint John
Sight Location: Ephesus, Turkey (See walking tours in Ephesus)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Ephesus, Turkey (See walking tours in Ephesus)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Ephesus, Turkey
Create Your Own Walk in Ephesus
Creating your own self-guided walk in Ephesus is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Selcuk Introduction Walking Tour
Sel莽uk is a town near Izmir, in western Turkey. It鈥檚 the gateway to Ephesus, a vast, ancient city with the remains of a large theater and the Library of Celsus. South is the House of Virgin Mary, a domed chapel and religious shrine. Near Sel莽uk, a marble column is one of a few remains of the Temple of Artemis. The Ephesus Museum has more items from the temple, plus other artifacts excavated... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Ephesus Introduction Walking Tour
Ephesus, the most important Greek city in Ionian Asia Minor, the ruins of which lie near the modern village of Sel茍uk in western Turkey. Ephesus is one of the largest and most impressive ancient cities in the world and is one of T眉rkiye鈥檚 most significant ancient cities. Its cultural and historical significance was highlighted in its addition to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 2015. The... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles