The house was rediscovered in 1891 by a group of French Lazarist priests using descriptions from the visions of Anna Catherine Emmerich.
Pope John Paul II declared the site a place of pilgrimage for Christians in 1979.
Muslims also hold the site in high regard, referring to the Virgin Mary as 'Meryem Ana' and visiting to pay their respects.
The stone walls of the house are original to the foundations, while the roof and interior repairs date to the 1950s.
Archaeological evidence suggests the lower section dates back to the Roman era, consistent with the 1st century.
A small shop near the exit sells holy water sourced directly from the spring on the property.
The House of the Virgin Mary, known locally as Meryemana, is a stone structure situated on Mount Koressos near Ephesus in Turkey. Catholic tradition holds that the Virgin Mary spent her final years here after being brought to the region by St. John the Apostle. The current structure consists of a restored 7th-century chapel built upon the foundations of an older 1st-century dwelling. It was rediscovered in the 19th century following the visions of the German nun Anne Catherine Emmerich, despite her never visiting the location. Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, and Pope Benedict XVI have all visited the site, officially designating it as a place of pilgrimage. The site features a sacred spring, which visitors believe possesses healing properties. Outside the house, a 'wishing wall' is lined with thousands of paper notes and fabric strips left by pilgrims. The building is maintained by the Lazarist fathers and remains an active religious site for both Christians and Muslims.
The wishing wall located at the exit path provides a unique and culturally significant background.
Visit during the shoulder seasons to avoid the heat and heavy crowds associated with tour bus schedules.
Write your prayer or wish on a piece of paper or cloth before arriving, as supplies are limited on-site.
Speak softly while on the grounds, as the site remains a functioning place of worship for pilgrims.
Avoid visiting during the peak heat of midday in July and August, as the area offers limited shade near the stone structure.
Shoulders and knees must be covered as a sign of respect; headscarves are not mandatory but welcomed. Silence is required inside the house.
