Biblical Private Ephesus Tour from Kusadasi

Ephesus Ancient City is a highlight of our Ephesus tours, once the third-largest city of the Roman Empire and a major commercial and cultural hub of Asia Minor. It also holds great biblical importance, where the Apostle Paul preached and the Book of Revelation addresses the church of Ephesus. During your visit, you’ll explore key landmarks such as the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre, the Temple of Hadrian, ancient latrines, and more, gaining insight into both Roman daily life and the early Christian community.

During the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, He entrusted His mother to the care of the Apostle St. John, as Jerusalem was no longer safe for her. St. John brought the Virgin Mary to the top of Bulbul Mountain near Ephesus, which he considered a secure place. It is believed that Mary spent her final years in this house and passed away there. Today, the House of the Virgin Mary is officially recognized as a place of pilgrimage and has been visited by Pope Paul VI in 1967, Pope John Paul II in 1979, and Pope Benedict XVI in 2006.

After the Gospel writer St. John built a house for the Virgin Mary, he remained in Ephesus to care for her and continue spreading Christianity. Following the recognition of Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire in the 4th century, Emperor Justinian commissioned the construction of the Basilica of St. John in the 6th century. The church is also believed to house the tomb of St. John, making it a significant site for both Christian history and pilgrimage.

The Temple of Artemis, honored as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was first built in the 6th century BC and took its final form in the 2nd century AD. Once the largest center of pagan worship in the region, it was famous for its grandeur, scale, and unique adornments. Today, while only a few ruins remain, including a single standing column, visiting the site allows you to step back in time and feel the awe that ancient pagans once experienced.