The Church of the Virgin in Ephesus is also known as the Double Church because it went through several major building phases. Its history reflects the religious and urban development of Ephesus from the Roman period to the Byzantine age.
The Earlier Civic Basilica near the Harbour
The original structure on this site was not a church. It is thought to have been a long and narrow civic basilica built very close to the ancient harbour of Ephesus. This building was probably constructed during the reign of Emperor Hadrian (117–138). It stood on the southern stoa of a monument dedicated to the Olympian Muses, showing that the area once had an important public and cultural function The Final Phase of the Church of the Virgin.
This early basilica had apsed rooms at both ends and a row of small rooms on each side. These rooms probably served as shops or offices. In the year 262, during the Gothic invasion of western Asia Minor, this civic basilica was destroyed by fire along with many other buildings near the harbour. After this disaster, the area lay in ruins for nearly a century.
Almost nothing of this first basilica survives today. Its stones and architectural elements were reused as building material for later structures constructed on the same site.
The First Christian Church
The first Christian church on this site was probably built in the middle of the fourth century. This new building was smaller than the original civic basilica but richly decorated. It consisted of a large open courtyard, a narthex (entrance hall), and a nave with side aisles ending in an apse.
The interior floor was covered with mosaics, and the walls were decorated with marble panels. These features show that the church was an important and well-funded religious building. To the north of the courtyard, an octagonal baptistry was added. This baptistry contained a large and deep basin reached by steps, allowing full immersion baptism, which was common in early Christianity.
At the eastern end of the complex, space was reserved for a bishop’s palace and administrative rooms. The remains found by archaeologists include a large residential building with a colonnaded courtyard, as well as a bath complex with several rooms and a latrine Bulgaria Private Tour.
Dedication to the Virgin Mary
The Church of the Virgin is traditionally regarded as the first church ever dedicated to the Virgin Mary. This fact is seen as strong evidence for an early tradition that accepted that the Virgin Mary spent her final years in or near Ephesus.
Excavations have revealed a sixth-century inscription that confirms the importance of the church during the Byzantine period. The church became especially famous because it hosted the Third Ecumenical Council in 431. At this council, Mary was officially declared Theotokos, meaning “God-bearer,” affirming her central role in Christian belief.
Later Phases and Architectural Changes
Over time, the church was enlarged and modified. A domed church was probably added in the eighth century, and later a basilica supported by piers was constructed during the Middle Byzantine period. These changes gave rise to the name “Double Church,” reflecting the complex architectural history of the site.
Today, the ruins of the Church of the Virgin stand as an important witness to the early Christian history of Ephesus and its role as a major religious center in the Byzantine world.
