At the entrance of the House of the Virgin Mary near Ephesus stands a statue of the Virgin. This statue welcomes visitors and pilgrims and reminds them of the long tradition connected with this sacred place. Long before the site was officially identified in the modern period, local Christians believed that the Virgin Mary had lived on this mountain. Every year, they gathered here to honor her memory and celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
The local people called this place Panaya Kapulu, a name formed from both Greek and Turkish words. This name means “Gate of Our Lady” or “House of Our Lady.” The continued use of this name shows that the tradition was passed down from generation to generation, even when the exact location of the house was forgotten by the wider Christian world The House of the Virgin Mary.
Catherine Emmerich and Her Visions
An important role in the rediscovery of the House of the Virgin was played by Catherine Emmerich, a German nun who lived between 1774 and 1824. In the early nineteenth century, she claimed to have seen detailed visions of the Virgin Mary’s life, including the place where Mary lived after leaving Jerusalem.
Catherine Emmerich was bedridden for most of her life and had received the stigmata, the wounds of Christ, according to Christian belief. She never traveled outside Westphalia in Germany. Despite this, she described the area near Ephesus in remarkable detail.
According to her visions, Mary did not live in the city of Ephesus itself, but in the countryside nearby. She said that several women who were close friends of Mary had settled there. Mary’s dwelling, she explained, was located on a hill to the left of the road from Jerusalem, about three and a half hours’ walk from Ephesus Bulgaria Trips.
Description of Mary’s Dwelling
Catherine Emmerich described the landscape in vivid terms. She said the hill sloped steeply toward Ephesus. As one approached the city from the southeast, it appeared to change position, creating an unusual visual effect. Mary’s house, according to her vision, was the only building made of stone in the area.
Behind the house was the summit of a rocky hill. From this point, one could see over trees and hills toward Ephesus and the sea, with its many islands. Emmerich also stated that the house was closer to the sea than Ephesus itself, which she believed was several hours away from the coast.
Between Mary’s dwelling and Ephesus, she described a small stream that flowed in a winding and unusual manner. This description later helped researchers identify the correct location of the site.
Miracles and Healing Traditions
Since its discovery, the House of the Virgin Mary has been associated with many stories of healing. People believed that ashes taken from the fireplace inside the house and water from the spring beneath Mary’s room had healing powers. These were said to help patients suffering from serious and hopeless illnesses.
By the time the account was written, the original fireplace had been removed. However, the spring was still flowing and continued to attract visitors who believed in the healing qualities of its clear and sweet water.
Today, the House of the Virgin Mary remains a place of faith, hope, and quiet reflection, respected by believers from many parts of the world.
