Basilica of St. John, Ephesus

These are the ruins of massive church right in town a five minute walk from the guesthouse and it was almost deserted at 9 in the morning.

It was built from 548 to 565 by the emperor Justinian who also built the Hagia Sophia. It was built on top of St. John's grave and an earlier mausoleum from the 2nd century

The Apostle John traveled from Jerusalem Ephesus where he remained for the rest of his life. It was during his time there that Emperor Domitian exiled him to the Isle of Patmos, where he wrote Revelation (the Apocalypse). When Nerva became emperor John was pardoned and returned to Ephesus, where he lived the remainder of his days while he wrote the Gospel of John.

Stopped for a coffee after coming down from the Citadel.Läs mer