Ephesus is the best-preserved classical city on the Mediterranean,and perhaps the best place in the world to get the feeling for what life was like in Roman times. As a strategic coastal gateway to the Eastern World, this Ionian refuge grew to be the second largest city in

the Roman Empire, the site of a Christian shrine, and one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Legend has it that the Virgin Mary,accompanied by St. Paul, came to Ephesus at the end of her life,circa 37-45 AD. Renaissance church historians mentioned the trip, and it is said that local Christians venerated a small house near Ephesus as Mary's. In 1967 Pope Paul VI. visited the site, where a chapel now stands, and confirmed the authenticity of the legend. Also the Basilica of St. John is located near Ephesus. St. John is said to have lived the last years of his life here and after his death, a shrine was located over his grave.

The 18 km of road from Kusadasi to Selcuk pass through spectacular beach and mountain scenery. The pretty town Selcuk is famous with its being a fascinating mixture of all historical periods. The strategic location of Selcuk has provided to be a popular place to settle down during the centuries. The name ‘Selcuk’ comes from the Turkish tribes settled in the region by the 12th century.
Selcuk has been reputed well for its closeness to the ancient Ephesus, Virgin Mary’s House and Seljukian works of art.
Besides the historical richness around the area, Selcuk is worth-seeing with the places of superb natural beauty surrounding the town. The village “Sirince” is the one that attracts every visitors with its spectacular view from a mountain in the 8km east of Selcuk. The beach of “Pamucak” is also of interest, 9km away from the town. A very nice jogging road covered by the old raspberry trees just in the entrance of Selcuk, also makes an impressive setting and an ideal location for relaxation.
Selcuk is rich and famous with the lively festivals scattered almost in every seasons. The Ephesus International Festival, held in May; The Camel Wrestling Festival, performed in the third weekend of January lasting in one day, attract both participants and visitors. Also the Rite ceremonies at the House of Virgin Mary are held every year on the 15th of August from 10:00 in the morning.
There are many good buys in the charming boutiques and colorful bazaars situated in the picturesque narrow, winding streets of the town. Also the town market on Saturdays offer an enjoying shopping to the visitors with the great variety of food and textile. Relaxing with a delicious meal in an inviting restaurant is a popular way to spend the evening hours in Selcuk. Visitors may sample the famous “chop-shish” -a meat variety, or classical Turkish cuisine. Selcuk is also serving with its good and clean accommodations, suitable for all visitors

care of His mother, Mary. Four of six years after the death and resurrection of Jesus, St. John and Mary are thought to have come to Ephesus and stayed on the site of what is not the Church of the Council of 431. Later, John took Mary to a house he had built on Nightingale Mountain. This house where Mary is thought to have spent her last days was forgotten in time and fell to ruin. In the Middle Ages it was often claimed that the house was found but to no definite result.
In 1878 German nun Katherina Emmerich talked about the location of the house in a book by Clementi Brentado and interest was revived. In 1891 the Lazarist priest Eugene Poulin, who was head of Izmir College, sent a group under priest Yung to find out if what was being claimed was true. The group explored the mountains south of Ephesus and came upon the house now know as the House of Mary.
Katherina Emmerich (1771-1824) had never left her hometown in all her life, was in a trance when making her explanation of ht house's location. After this discovery, Eugene Poulin printed a number of things to increase interest in the find. The event was heard around the world. Many religious investigators shared the same conclusion. Izmir Patriarch Monsignor Timoni visited the site and gave permission for conducting services on the site in 1892. Pope John XXIII proclaimed the house a pilgrimage site, quieting all controversy over the site. In 1967 Pope Paul VI came, and Pope John Paul II came in 1979, both adding to the significance of the site.
There is a small, cross-shaped, domed church built at the end of the road leading from the cistern. This is the structure known as Mary's House. This structure dates from the 6th or 7th century, and was repaired to its present condition. There is a red line marking where the ancient wall stops and where the newer wall begins. Inside the entrance with door-shaped niches at either end, there is a vaulted platform area. There is a statue of Mary in the apse which has been there for centuries. There was a fireplace at the front where gray marble separated it from the rest of the house. During excavations coal and house utensils were found dating to the 1st century AD. Because Mary is also honored by Muslims, the ritual Muslim prayer (namaz) can be performed in the house. The writings on the wall are translations of Kur'anic verses relating to Mary. There are even Kur'ans in a cabinet for those who wish to read more about this.

This pretty old Orthodox village, 12 km away from Ephesus and 30 km from Kusadasi, was once Cirkince ("ugly"). Indeed its habitants gave this name on purpose as they did not want to be bothered by foreigners nor to share the beauty of their village.
Still after years, visitors understood that the village was not ugly at all and called it Sirince ("pretty"). As the village is located on the top of a mountain, anyone will enjoy the impressive wine yards' and peach trees' views on his way.
Today the village is a perfect synthesis of Turk-Greek culture as of the 1920's : after the Independence War, people exchange between Greek and Turks has occurred and all those typical Greek houses, though they kept their original outside characteristics, have received the local layout inside. The most beautiful specimens are open to visitors. And even in the courtyard of one of them, one will discover a nicely restorated Orthodox church.
All the narrow streets of the village belong to the women, selling handcrafts of all kinds, olive oil. Another attraction of Sirince is its wine : try its taste in small cafés or in the former municipal school restorated and today the best restaurant of town "Artemis".
Though Sirince is developing its tourism very quickly, it has been able to preserve its authenticity and the meaning of its name.