Basilica of Saint John, Selcuk

The Ruins Of A Justinian Era Basilica Believed To Stand Over The Tomb Of Saint John The Apostle, With A Cross Shaped Plan, Marble Columns And An Ayasuluk Fortress Above It. A Hilltop Stop With Views Over Selcuk And The Ephesus Plain · Selcuk, Izmir

The Basilica of Saint John stands on Ayasuluk Hill in the town of Selcuk, a short distance from the ancient city of Ephesus in Izmir province. A church is said to have been raised here over a simple tomb honoured as the burial place of John the Apostle, and the Byzantine emperor Justinian rebuilt it in the 6th century, around 548 to 565 (confirm), as a large basilica with a cross-shaped plan and several domes. Today the vast church lies in ruins, with rows of marble column bases, brick arches, a baptistery and the marked tomb area under a low canopy. The hill is crowned by the walls of the Ayasuluk Fortress, and the view from the church takes in the Ephesus plain, the old Isa Bey Mosque and the roofs of Selcuk. The site is usually quiet, with a calm pilgrim atmosphere, and it is easy to combine with the Ephesus Museum and the ancient city, either on foot from the town or by a short minibus ride. The tomb is a tradition, not a proven fact (confirm).

Basilica of Saint John, the ruins of a large 6th-century church on Ayasuluk Hill in the town of Selcuk, near the Ephesus road, in Izmir province; coordinates approximate, Selcuk, Izmir, Turkiye

The basilica is usually open daily, from about 08:00 to 19:00 in summer and to about 17:00 in winter (confirm), with the last entry shortly before closing. A ticket is sold at the gate on the hill, and a combined ticket with Ephesus may exist (confirm). The fortress above has its own opening hours and may be closed for repairs. Early morning and the hour before closing are quiet, while the midday coach visits fill the paths. Heavy rain, strong wind and restoration work can close parts of the site without notice, so confirm times and works on the day, and allow time for the climb from the town.

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