Anyone been to Turkey? House of Mary in Ephesus?

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Hey all.

I might be going to Turkey next year and will be visiting the House of Mary in Ephesus, among others. I want to bring home some religious gifts for my family and was wondering if anyone knows how prices there are like? I want to get some icons and statues.

Here are some photos I found from there:

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flickr.com/photos/ctpehlivan/5970078032/sizes/l/in/photostream/
 
I have been to Turkey, and I have been to both Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary. Both are fascinating. Be sure to plan for plenty of time in Ephesus, as the ruins are large and well worth taking much of the day to see. It is one of the best preserved Roman ruins anywhere, and is great from both the historical AND religious viewpoint. You can see the great library, the amphitheater where Paul spoke to the Ephesians, and the statues of the local god Artemis which he preached against. You can also see the homes of both elite and common Romans, and even an old Roman public restroom where you can get an idea of how advanced the Romans were when it came to plumbing.

As far as the prices of items, however, I’m afraid I can’t help you because it’s been nearly 20 years since I was there.
 
I will say this… I’ve traveled all over the world, and out of everywhere I’ve been, Turkey has some of the best souvenirs, both religious and otherwise. Bring lots of cash! 😃
 
Thanks a lot for the info Rolltide! Really excited to see the Virgin Mary’s home! I read you can’t take pictures and was wondering of any other restrictions they may have. Are you allowed to touch sacramentals, such as rosaries or statues to the house? It would be nice to have a ‘relic’ from the House of Mary.
 
I’ve never gone, but it, along with Nazareth, is high on my list. However, I’m deathly afraid of flying so unless there’s a way of driving to the Middle East (:p), I’m afraid I’m stuck here in the States for the time being.

Those photos look great! I love all of the icons and statues.
 
JPUSC said:
Thanks a lot for the info Rolltide! Really excited to see the Virgin Mary’s home! I read you can’t take pictures and was wondering of any other restrictions they may have. Are you allowed to touch sacramentals, such as rosaries or statues to the house? It would be nice to have a ‘relic’ from the House of Mary.
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It should be easy to touch the house. You can go inside. I took pictures both inside and out when I was there, but that was 20 years ago. There may be restrictions now, I don’t know, but I rather doubt it. Be aware that the structure is considered holy to both Christians AND Muslims, as Muslims also revere Mary as the mother of Jesus, though not in the same way that Christians do. The Muslims pilgrims might surprise you if you’re not expecting them. Everyone I encountered was exceptionally polite, regardless of religion.

Also, here are some photos of the exterior and interior:

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/...e-of-virgin/house-of-virgin-c-helen-betts.jpg

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There is also a fountain (a spring, perhaps?) where you can get Holy Water at the site.
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/...use-of-virgin-healing-waters-cc-khoogheem.jpg
 
If you need any help with ideas of what to see anywhere in Turkey or putting together an itinerary, PM me and I can help you with that. I’ve traveled extensively in the country.
 
Yes, I visited Mary’s House at Ephesis in 2010. Be sure to take your own bottles to take home some water from the pure, ice-cold spring below the holy house.

When you visit the Holy House, be sure to see all you want in one room before moving to the next, as the traffic is one way and you can’t go back once you leave an area.
DON"T miss looking at the picture framed behind glass hanging on the wall to the left of the altar. I was so overwhelmed by the atmosphere of this shrine that I stupidly did not read the printed explanation under the picture frame – would appreciate somebody who goes there to take a notebook and copy down what it says, and post it here ?

Anyway – this image says everything about the wonder and serenity of this holy place: Our Lady, who appears as an older, wise woman, stands in the foreground, with the holy house (which you are standing in) in the background. Her face is serious, as if she is aware of all the sorrows of the world. She does not notice the angel who holds a crown over her head; instead, she lifts her eyes and her hands to her son Jesus, who leans down from heaven, attentive to her prayer for those who visit her little house.

I was so moved by this picture that afterward I went to find a copy in the shop near the shrine cafe-- I was delighted to find there one small version of this icon painted on wood (on the back it said “made in Greece”). Now it hangs in my bedroom and it is the first thing I see in the morning, and the last at night; and it always recalls to me the gift of peace Mary gave me at this serene shrine.

I hope one day to return to “Meryemana evi” on Nightingale Hill. . ., the site of the Assumption . . .
 
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