Basilica of St John

The Basilica of St John sits on Ayasuluk Hill, the old acropolis of Selçuk, and it is one of the major monuments of early Christianity in Turkey. Tradition holds that Saint John, who is also linked to the House of the Virgin Mary, was buried here, and a church was built over the tomb. In the mid-sixth century the Byzantine emperor Justinian rebuilt it as a large domed, cross-plan basilica, and the Turkish tourism ministry notes that restoration began in 1974 and the surroundings were turned into an archaeological park. Today you walk among tall marble columns, the outline of the nave and the marked site of the tomb, with a view across the plain to the Temple of Artemis and, on a clear day, the sea. The medieval citadel of Ayasuluk Castle crowns the hill above, and the Ministry lists the combined site as open every day with a modest ticket. It is a short and easy walk from the Ephesus Museum and the Isa Bey Mosque, and it usually receives far fewer visitors than the ancient city.

The history gives the stones meaning. Ayasuluk Hill was settled long before the Romans and was one of the places where the city moved when the harbour of Ephesus silted up. The Seljuk and Aydinid periods left the Isa Bey Mosque at the foot of the hill, completed in the fourteenth century, which is a good counterpart to the basilica. The basilica itself was damaged by earthquakes and conquest and then abandoned, and the surviving remains are partly reconstructed, with some columns and arches rebuilt to give a sense of the original scale.

Plan the visit with the layout in mind. Entry is through the gate near the museum, and the path climbs gently to the basilica and then further to the castle walls. Ministry listings show the site open from morning until late afternoon, with the ticket office closing about half an hour earlier, so check the current times on the official page and arrive with enough daylight, especially in winter. The castle section has shorter visiting hours, and some areas can be closed for conservation work. There is little shade, so bring water, and wear shoes with grip on the stones.

What to combine: the basilica pairs naturally with the Ephesus Museum, the Isa Bey Mosque and the Temple of Artemis in a single easy morning in Selçuk, which makes a calm complement to a day at the ruins. For many visitors the highlight is the view over the plain and the combination of Christian, Seljuk and ancient traces in one small area. If you are staying in Selçuk, it is a pleasant walk before breakfast or at sunset.