Well-known from earliest times, this city was established on the delta of what is now called the Lesser Menderes River. The sheltered harbor of that period was the beginning of a royal road the ended at the gate of Susa, the capital or the Persian Empire, which secured the city its  importance. It became the capital of the Roman province of Asia under Augustus and had a population of perhaps 200,000 in the second and first centuries BC. In the 6th century BC science, art and culture were prominent here 

Katherina Emmerich (1771-1824) had never left her hometown in all her life, was in a trance when making her explanation of ht house's location. After this discovery, Eugene Poulin printed a number of things to increase interest in the find. The event was heard around the world. Many religious investigators shared the same conclusion. Izmir Patriarch Monsignor Timoni visited the site and gave permission for conducting services on the site in 1892. Pope John XXIII proclaimed the house a pilgrimage site, quieting all controversy over the site. In 1967 Pope Paul VI came, and Pope John Paul II came in 1979, both adding to the significance of the site.

Priest's Monastery Phone Number: (0232) 8941014

                                  Fax Number: (0232) 8941016

The Church of St. John, located at the southern foot of the castle hill, is the most magnificent of the buildings from the Byzantine Period. The historian Eusebius tells us that after the apostles were expelled from Jerusalem around AD 37 to 42, St. John continued his work in Anatolia from Ephesus. In this way we can understand when St. John and Mary, the mother of Jesus, who had been entrusted to him by her Son, came to Ephesus. After the martyrdom of St. Paul, St. John wrote his gospel and labored in his ministry to the churches in the area. After his death, he was buried in the church that was built to remember him. After Christianity came into

Isabey Mosque is the last memorial work of art left by those civilizations that came and went through Ephesus. This great mosque was built on the side of the hill where Ayasuluk Castle and St. John's Church are located. In early times Isabey Mosque attracted large crowds and was built between Christian and idolatrous centers of worship.

Because of its topographical situation the north and east faces were planted in the hillside. For this reason its stateliness and splendor are more noticeable on its western side. The building measures 51 by 57 m, nearly square. 

The village dates back to the 5th century. Its old name was Kirkinca or Çirkince. There were several reasons for the village's settlement. First, the mountain it settled on was good for protection. Second, it was away from malaria that was rife in the Selçuk-Ephesus area. Finally, there was plenty of water, the soil was fertile and the climate was ideal.

Following the road leading east from beside the gymnasium of Vedius, one comes to the Cave of the Seven Sleepers. 

Christians during Roman imperial times had real problems because to the Emperor Cult, that demanded they sacrifice to the emperor in a temple built for him. When they failed to do this they became enemies of the emperor and state.