House of the Virgin Mary, Religious shrine in Selçuk, Turkey
The House of the Virgin Mary is a pilgrimage site in the wooded hills above Selçuk, roughly nine kilometers from the town center. The stone chapel includes an altar room with a statue and a small chamber believed to have served as sleeping quarters.
Two Lazarist priests discovered the building in 1891 after following the published visions of German nun Anne Catherine Emmerich. Pope Paul VI visited in 1967, giving the site official recognition.
The site draws believers from different religions, who light candles and offer prayers inside. Pilgrims often collect water from the nearby spring, which is believed to have healing properties.
Taxis from the center of Selçuk bring visitors to the entrance in roughly 15 minutes, along a winding uphill road. The grounds are well maintained and accessible for most visitors, though the chapel interior is compact.
A section of wall beside the chapel is covered with fabric, ribbons, and paper notes that visitors attach. The wishes and prayers come from people around the world, forming a colorful, constantly changing mosaic.
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