Ephesus Hillside Houses

House of the Virgin Mary is located within the boundaries of the Ancient City of Ephesus in the Selçuk district of İzmir. This settlement, built on terraces along the northern slope of Bülbül Dağı, consists of seven residences dating to the Roman Empire period. The area was originally used as a cemetery during the Hellenistic period but was converted into a residential zone by the Romans in the first century AD. The houses continued to be used with various modifications and additions until the city was abandoned.

^{House of the Virgin Mary} (Culture Portal)

The Houses of the Virgin Mary were constructed in accordance with the tradition of peristyle courtyard houses. Most of the residences are two or three stories high. Ground floors contained daily living areas such as sitting rooms kitchens and salons while upper floors served as bedrooms. Each house features fountains as a common element and includes underfloor heating systems. This heating was provided by distributing hot water from a central bathhouse through a network of flues.

Walls were plastered both internally and externally and interior spaces were decorated with frescoes and marble cladding. Floors were covered with mosaics typically featuring black and white geometric patterns and mythological figures. Frescoes depict muses Eros animals theatrical scenes and everyday life imagery.

^{House of the Virgin Mary} (Culture Portal)

The Houses of the Virgin Mary were organized according to the Hippodamian urban plan system meaning they were arranged in square or rectangular blocks between parallel and perpendicular streets. For example House 2 is defined as a large block covering approximately 4000 square meters. It contains six separate living units on three terraces and is bordered by tabernae (shops).

Water supply was provided through wells canals and a complex multi-branched channel system. Houses feature marble-covered water wells and toilets. Living blocks are perforated and connected to the main sewer system.

^{House of the Virgin Mary} (Culture Portal)

Excavations at the Houses of the Virgin Mary have uncovered numerous sculpted heads of emperors empresses and philosophers as well as decorative objects made of bronze marble terracotta ivory and glass. Additionally various everyday and ornamental items have been recovered including jewelry toys medical and cosmetic tools household vessels perfume bottles and lamps.

^{House of the Virgin Mary} (Culture Portal)

The area shows settlement traces extending back to the Archaic period (7th–6th century BC). During the Hellenistic period the slope was terraced extensively but construction was unplanned. In the early Roman Imperial period (around AD 20) multi-story peristyle houses with rich decorative elements were constructed.

In the third century AD earthquakes rendered the city center uninhabitable and the houses suffered damage. During the late antiquity period the houses were repurposed as ruins to meet urgent needs and some architectural interventions took place in the fifth century AD. In the seventh century AD early Byzantine artisan workshops (mills tanneries potters) were established atop the Roman-era houses.