The Church of Mary in Ephesus (AD 400s)

The Church of Mary is located in the harbor area of Ephesus. The temple Olympieon, dedicated to emperor Hadrian (117-138), was built north of the present church site. It is believed that the Olympieon was destroyed in the late 300s and that the basilica was rebuilt as the Church of Mary in the 400s. The Church of Mary is often called the “Double Church” because it has two narthexes, and the “Church of the Councils” because the Ecumenical Church Councils of 431 and 449 were likely held there.