St Johns Basilica

St. John’s Basilica – The Sacred Tomb of an Apostle

Location: Selcuk, Turkey
Built: 6th Century AD
Significance: Believed to be the burial site of St. John the Apostle
Current Condition: Partially reconstructed ruins

Why is St. John’s Basilica Important?

• Built over the believed tomb of St. John, one of Jesus’ 12 Apostles.
• Commissioned by Emperor Justinian I in the 6th century AD.
• A major pilgrimage site for early Christians.
• Once one of the largest churches in the Byzantine Empire.
• Converted into a mosque in the 1330s & later destroyed by the Mongols in 1402.

The History of St. John’s Basilica

• 1st Century AD: St. John (the disciple of Jesus) is believed to have lived and died in Ephesus. His tomb became a pilgrimage site for early Christians.
• 6th Century AD: Byzantine Emperor Justinian I ordered a grand basilica to be built over St. John’s tomb, creating one of the largest churches in the world at the time.
• 7th-9th Century AD: Arab raids damaged the basilica, but it remained a major religious center.
• 1330s: The region fell under Seljuk Turkish rule, and the basilica was converted into a mosque.
• 1402: The Mongols invaded, completely destroying the basilica.
• Present Day: Partial reconstructions allow visitors to visualize the grand scale of the original structure.

Architectural Highlights of St. John’s Basilica

The Entrance & Layout

• You enter from the southern side, where brick foundations & partially reconstructed marble walls give a sense of its grand scale.
• If fully restored, it would be the 7th-largest church in the world!

St. John’s Tomb

• The believed burial site of St. John is located under the main dome.
• Christian pilgrims have visited the site for centuries.

The Baptistery & Chapel

• A recent excavation revealed a baptistery & chapel.
• Inside, beautiful saintly depictions & frescoes were discovered.

The Columns & Domes

• Originally, the basilica had six grand domes supported by massive marble columns.
• The ruins give an idea of the basilica’s immense size & importance.

Nearby Attractions

Ayasuluk Castle (Just Beside St. John’s Basilica!)

• An Ottoman-era fortress that overlooks the town of Selcuk.
• Offers stunning panoramic views of the entire Ephesus region.

Isabey Mosque

• Built in 1375, one of the oldest & most stunning mosques in Turkey.
• Features a blend of Seljuk & Ottoman architecture.

Ephesus Ancient City

• Just a short drive away, Ephesus is one of the most well-preserved Roman cities in the world.

Virgin Mary’s House

• A major pilgrimage site, believed to be where Mary, the mother of Jesus, spent her last years.

How to Get to St. John’s Basilica

By Air: Fly into Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB), then drive 1 hour to Selcuk.
By Train: Regular trains from Izmir to Selcuk.
By Bus: Frequent buses from Istanbul, Izmir & other major Turkish cities.
By Car: Easily accessible from Izmir, Kusadasi & Ephesus.

Why Visit St. John’s Basilica?

• A major biblical & historical site.
• Believed to be the burial place of St. John, one of Jesus’ apostles.
• A grand Byzantine structure commissioned by Emperor Justinian I.
• Located near other must-visit sites like Ephesus, Ayasuluk Castle & Virgin Mary’s House.

Visiting St. John’s Basilica is a must for history lovers, pilgrims & archaeology enthusiasts!