Basilica of St. John (St. Jean), Selçuk
The Basilica of Saint John on Ayasuluk Hill in Selçuk: Justinian's great church over the tomb…
Photo: Dosseman / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Ayasuluk Castle, Selçuk
The walled hilltop of Selçuk, above the Basilica of St. John and the town.
Overview
Above the town of Selçuk, a ring of walls and towers crowns Ayasuluk Hill. This is Ayasuluk Castle, also called Selçuk Castle. After the harbor of Ephesus silted up, the city moved here, around the tomb of St. John.
The Story of Ayasuluk Castle
The name Ayasuluk comes from St. John the Theologian, believed buried on the hill. In the 6th century, Justinian built a great basilica over his tomb. Then, in October 1304, Turkish forces under Sasa Bey took the hill, and under the Aydınoğulları it became a busy port town. Excavations on the hill since 1990 point to one of the earliest settlements of the area.
What to See
The walls are of stone, brick and mortar from the Byzantine, Aydınoğulları and Ottoman periods, reinforced by 15 towers. Inside, narrow stairs lead up to the towers. Stone-paved streets pass cisterns and a small mosque. At the highest point, a church ruin had its apse turned into a cistern. Below the hill, the Byzantine aqueduct still stands about 15 m high near the station; it carried spring water up to the hill.
The Basilica of St. John on the Same Hill
The castle shares its hill with the Basilica of St. John, which stands over the burial place of the apostle. The church had a six-domed plan, with the tomb at its center among 12 columns, and a baptistery from the 4th century. In the Hittite period, the hill was Apasas, capital of the Arzawa-Mira kingdom, and in the 7th century AD the people of Ephesus moved back up here, because the harbor had silted up and Arab raids came from the sea. The Museum Pass The Aegean covers both the Ayasuluk and the St. Jean sites.
Our notes for Ayasuluk
- Towers15
- WallsByzantine, Aydınoğulları and Ottoman
- VisitIn the morning, before the summer heat
- BelowBasilica of St. John and the aqueduct
Our suggestion Come up after Ephesus in the late afternoon, then walk down to the İsa Bey Mosque and the aqueduct.
How to Visit Ayasuluk Castle
The castle stands north of the Basilica of St. John, on the same site. Nearby are the İsa Bey Mosque, the Temple of Artemis and Ephesus. We arrange your entry to Ayasuluk Castle and pair it with the İsa Bey Mosque below.
Would you like to see Ephesus, Ayasuluk Hill and Şirince with a private guide? In summer, we start early and climb Ayasuluk before noon; send us your dates and we will time the day. See our Ephesus shore excursion, our Ephesus day tour from Istanbul and our Ephesus guide.
Because this is where Ephesus moved after the harbor silted up. Look down from the walls to the Temple of Artemis and the plain.
Things to See & Do
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Archaeological site
Ephesus
The best-preserved ancient city of the eastern Mediterranean: the Library of Celsus, the Terrace Houses, the…
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House of the Virgin Mary
The House of the Virgin Mary, Meryem Ana Evi, on Mount Koressos near Ephesus: the stone…
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İsa Bey Mosque
The Isa Bey Mosque in Selçuk: an Aydınid mosque of 1374–1375 below Ayasuluk Hill, built by…
Map
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Frequently asked questions
What is Ayasuluk Castle?
The walled top of Ayasuluk Hill in Selçuk, north of the Basilica of St. John, with Byzantine, Aydınoğulları and Ottoman walls.
Where does the name Ayasuluk come from?
From St. John the Theologian, believed to be buried on the hill.
Is Ayasuluk Castle on the Museum Pass?
Yes. The Museum Pass The Aegean covers the Ayasuluk and St. Jean sites on the hill.
