162

Our first visit at Ephesus was to the House of the Virgin Mary.  According to the oral tradition of local villagers, the Virgin Mary lived the last days of her life here with St. John.  The site has been visited by Popes Paul VI and John Paul II.  Local pilgrims celebrate the Feast of the Assumption here each August 15, commemorating Mary's Assumption into Heaven.  Today, the site is visited by many pilgrims, frequently the site of Catholic Masses (165) and is thought by some to have healing spring water associated with it (166).  Pilgrims frequently leave a handkerchief as a sign of remembrance (167).

166

167

168

169

170

171

172

173

Ephesus is considered second only to Pompeii for the quality and the breadth of its ruins, only one seventh of which have been uncovered. Founded by Athens in 10th century, BC, it was already 1,000 years old when St. Paul arrived in 52 AD.  Our walk begins along Curettes Way past the State Agora (public square) and the Odeon (172), a venue for the city council and various concerts and theater performances. The Gate of Hercules (179) kept the upper city free of riffraff from below.

174

175

176

177

178

179