Nov / Dec 2008
Magazine

House of Virgin Mary

The Home of the Virgin Mary on Bulbul Mountain, Turkey.

It is said that the Virgin Mary fled the Roman Empire in the mountains near Ephesus. She lived her final days in a small home, located on the top of the "Bulbul" mountain. The shrine of the Virgin Mary can still be viewed today, hidden in a green garden atmosphere, still peaceful despite the thousands of tourist that make their way there in prayer.

the Water of Mary provides a spiritual drink to all

Indeed, it is believed Mary may have come to the area with Saint John, who spent several years spreading Christianity. Mary preferred the remote place rather than living in crowds.

The house of the Virgin Mary is in typical Roman architectural, entirely made of stones. In the 4th century AD, a church, combining her house and grave, had been built. The original two-stored house consisted of an anteroom (where today candles are proposed), bedroom and praying room (Christian church area), and a room with a fireplace (chapel for Muslims). A front kitchen fell into ruins but was restored in 1940's.

The altar is open to be viewed by visitors

Today, only the central part and a room on the right of the altar are open to the public. (The building looks more like a church than a house.) Another interesting spot is the "Water of Mary", a source to be found at the exit of the church area and where salt water with curative properties can be sipped by visitors.