The main focus of most people's visit to Ephesus/Selcuk is the ancient city of Ephesus. It is one of, if not the best, preserved of the ancient Roman cities. At its peak Ephesus, hosted over 250,000 citizens and was one of the most influential cities of the ancient world. A walking tour through Ephesus takes a least half a day, and you MUST hire a docent to interpret the city for you. It is a little expensive but well worth it. I have been awed by ruins in a lot of places, but never quite the way that Ephesus affected me. Of particular interest is the main theatre (amphitheater) which held 24,000 persons. It is here that the Apostle Paul planned to preach about Christianity in the 1st century AD. Some sources say that he did preach at Ephesus. Others say he was discouraged from preaching by the protests of a large portion of the populace who were pagans and who worshipped the Godess Artemis. Nevertheless, Paul was in Ephesus for a time, and there are clear signs that Christianity had taken root in the city even before the conversion of Rome. If you are so inclined, the Book of Acts is an interesting read. 

A short walk from Jimmys is the Basillica of St. John, where the Apostle John is buried. It is a ruin. There are a few interpretive signs and the burial spot is clearly marked. John also spent many years in Ephesus with Mary, the mother of Jesus. Jesus entrusted the care of his mother to John at the Crucifiction, and they remained together for the remainder of her life. 

A short taxi ride from Ephesus and Selcuk is the burial place of Mary. I think many pilgrims who have no interest in Ephesus come to this shrine. It is very crowded. It is very solemn. I felt like I would cry. It is a wondrous place. At the door of the simple stone building where she lays is an ancient maple tree. We filed quietly through the building; it is nothing really. Perhaps it is the cumulative grace of those thousands who come here, but the place is sacred like no other place I have been.

I am the first to acknowledge that I am not particularly demonstrative with my faith. I will also tell you that it has been one of the great pleasures of my life to experience the stories of Mary, John and Paul directly in some small way. Ephesus is a magical place.