Basilica Of St. John
Is John the Apostle buried in Ephesus?
The basilica of St Jean is a beautiful structure and is believed to be built on top of the burial site of St Jean the Apostle. The structure is unfortunately missing its roof and some walls. Even though the basilica is not completely restored, the same entrance ticket includes the visitation for the Seljuk Castle at the top of the hill. With the same ticket, both these sites can be visited.
For detailed information about points of interest, activities and events related to Ephesus in Turkey, visit:
Ephesus Experiences
Distilled Information
Basilica of St John
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An important basilica believed to be built on the burial site of St. John the Apostle, who became the church father of Ephesus after St. Paul was expelled from the city.
Ticket Price
6 Euros (updated 2025)
Location
Walking distance from the city center of Selcuk. Visit the same day as Ephesus.
Accessibility
The Basilica of St John is wheelchair accessible. The Castle is included in the same ticket but unfortunately is not wheelchair accessible as of yet.
Basilica of St. John
History of the Basilica of St. John
You can find the Basilica of St. John near the ancient city of Ephesus in the town of Selçuk. Byzantine Emperor Justin I ordered the construction of the Basilica of St. John in the 6th century AD. The basilica was built over what was believed to be the burial site of St. John the Apostle, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ.
The basilica was designed as a large, domed church. It was intended both as a place of worship and as a pilgrimage destination. The architecture of the Basilica of St John reflects typical Byzantine styles, with a cruciform plan and extensive use of domes and arches. Today, the ruins of the basilica remain a prominent archaeological site near Ephesus, attracting historians, archaeologists, and visitors interested in early Christian history.
St. John & The Virgin Mary
St. John the Apostle, also known as John the Evangelist, was one of the closest followers of Jesus Christ. Traditionally, the author of the Gospel of John, John of Patmos, John the Evangelist and John the Apostle are considered to be the same person. Among the twelve apostles, John is often described as "the disciple whom Jesus loved," indicating a particularly close relationship.
John's connection to the Virgin Mary is also significant in Christian tradition. According to the Gospel of John (John 19:26-27), during the crucifixion of Jesus, Jesus entrusted the care of his mother Mary to John, saying, "Woman, behold your son," and to John, "Behold your mother." This event has been interpreted as John becoming Mary's guardian after Jesus' death.
Tradition holds that John and the Virgin Mary traveled together following the events in Jerusalem. It is believed that they settled near Ephesus in Asia Minor, where John lived and preached until his death. This tradition is one reason why the Basilica of St. John was constructed near Ephesus and why there is also the nearby House of the Virgin Mary (click to see more), a building believed to be her final residence.
While definitive historical evidence for their joint travels is limited, this narrative has been supported by popular Christian writings, making the site of the basilica and also the House of the Virgin Mary important places of reverence for Christians.
How To Visit the Basilica of St. John
The Basilica of St John is in the same town of Selcuk, where you can visit the ancient city of Ephesus, the Temple of Artemis and the Museum of Ephesus. From the center of the town (Selçuk), the basilica is walking distance so no vehicles are needed.
The ticket price for the Basilica of St. John in 2025 is 6 Euros per person. Remember, with the same ticket, you can also visit the Seljuk Castle right above the basilica. As of 2025, the restoration in the castle is not finished but a few buildings inside the walled section of the castle can be seen.