I will be in Turkey in November, I will be visiting Ephesus. I am debating whether to include the House of the Virgin Mary or the Terraced Houses on my visit to Ephesus.

Could fodorties, please share their experiences of these sites.

Thanks in advance.

You'll probably get more responses on the Europe board (Turkey is listed on both) - but I'll give my 2 cents.

The Terraced Houses are right in the main Ephesus complex - just requires an additional fee. I thought the extra fee was well worth it. Very interesting and wonderful mosaics.

The House of the Virgin Mary is close by and while I'm not a very religious person - I also found it interesting.

So - if time permits....do it all!!!

Since you are going to be in ancient Ephesus anyway

...you might as well pay the separate admission and see the Terrace Houses.

It only takes about 20-30 minutes at most.

You will see how the "wealthy" lived, slept cooked and ate.

The houses are preseved under a high tech ceiling.

There are many painted frescoes and floor mosiacs..which are in almost excellent condition ..although a bit faded here and there.

And yes I agree with Grcxx3... go to see the House of the Virgin Mary.

They say that most of Her last days on earth were spent here and in this area.

It is not a large house ,but go inside and see the altar ...then outside take a picture of Her statue.

Percy

Hey Percy - don't you still owe me and sunshine and Debbie a drink....since you stood us up last fall?????

Regarding the house of the Virgin Mary, I recommend it with a few caveats.
1) Archeologists can prove that the foundation of the house is from the right timeframe, but cannot prove that Mary actually lived there, although there is a strong local tradition.
2) If it is crowded when you go, you may have to sort of shuffle through in a line, without being able to linger. That disappointed me a bit.

That being said, I was glad I went. At least on the day I went there was a marveous feeling of peace and reverence inside. Perhaps it was only due to the prayers of the faithful over the years, but it was a good thing in any event.

And even though I am definitely not a shopper, and would happily have skipped 90% of the shops on my trip, the gift shop by Mary's house had some very different selections, and was a wonderful place to pick up Christian themed souvenires.

Thanks for all the feedback.

Unfortunately, I am restricted to doing either the House of the Virgin Mary or the Terranced Houses. I will need to join a ships shore excursion, and there isn't a shore excursion that does both.

My vote is for the terraced houses. I found them fascinating. Mary's house is more symbolic for what it represents than what you actually see on site.

yup - the Terraced Houses is my vote in that case.

Sorry to hijack your posting goingtobeijing!

Grcxx3

Hi There.

I bought you three gals the drinks when you were all in Cairo.


Boy, you drank nothing but the best...you should have seen my Mastercard bill whe it arrived !!

Debbie told me "nothing but the best was ordered for you three "!!!! especially when it was going on my Mastercard.

Gee Grcxx3 , how many did you have that you cannot remember.

Percy

Percy - you must be talking about the "Evil Grcxx3"......the "Good Grcxx3" would NEVER have taken advantage of your generosity in such a way!!!

Yup, Terraced Houses it is if you have to choose one over the other. But, if you are at all religious, I'd go to the House of the Virgin Mary for the history and faith expressed there.

You'll be happy with either decision, I think.

-doo