The ruins of a large cemetery can be seen above the Grotto of the Seven Sleepers in Ephesus. Together with the many graves around it, this cemetery shows that the site was an important place of pilgrimage for centuries. Graffiti carved by visitors on the walls confirm that believers continued to visit the grotto throughout the Byzantine period and even until the end of the fifteenth century. These inscriptions are valuable historical evidence, as they record personal prayers, names, and symbols left by pilgrims who came to honor the Seven Sleepers Smyrna in the Byzantine and Medieval Periods.
The Northern Crypt and Its Decoration
The northern part of the complex appears to have been carved out of an ancient stone quarry. This section consists of a long vaulted crypt that begins with two smaller entrance rooms. Along the walls and beneath the floor are numerous burial niches, showing that the space was used extensively for interment. The walls of the crypt are decorated with frescoes depicting garlands and baskets, symbols commonly associated with burial and eternal life in late antiquity.
These decorative elements suggest that the crypt was carefully planned and repeatedly reused. The presence of painted decoration also indicates that the area was considered sacred and worthy of artistic effort, even though it functioned as a burial space.
The Main Vaulted Chamber and Catacombs
Nearby stands a larger complex consisting of a long vaulted hall with catacombs beneath its floor. These underground chambers are believed to have contained the tombs of the Seven Sleepers themselves. Although the church that once stood opposite this complex has completely disappeared, its former presence is known from written sources and archaeological traces.
The size and layout of this part of the site suggest that it played a central role in the cult of the Seven Sleepers. Pilgrims would have gathered here to pray, light lamps, and honor the memory of the young men who were believed to have miraculously slept for centuries Stoletov Bulgaria Tours.
Multiple Phases of Decoration
Archaeological evidence shows that the site underwent several phases of decoration over many centuries. A mosaic depicting saints was added to the vestibule of the northern crypt during the eighth or ninth century. This addition reflects renewed interest in the site during the Middle Byzantine period.
Inside the catacombs, two different layers of frescoes depicting saints and crosses were painted in the tenth and eleventh centuries. These layers show that the space remained active and respected long after its original construction. The frescoes near the entrance to the catacombs are probably from the Lascarid period (1204–1261), a time when Byzantine rule was reestablished in western Anatolia after the Latin occupation of Constantinople.
A Burial Site Before and After Christianity
Excavations have also shown that the northern slope of Mount Pion was used as a burial area even before the Christian period. This continuity suggests that the area had long been associated with death and remembrance, making it a natural place for the development of a major Christian cemetery.
In addition to the Seven Sleepers, Christian tradition claims that several important figures were buried on or near Mount Pion. These include St Timothy, a companion of St Paul; St Hermione; and Mary Magdalene, who is said to have joined St John in Ephesus after the death of the Virgin Mary. Although there is no firm archaeological proof for these burials, the traditions themselves highlight the strong religious importance of Mount Pion in early Christianity.
Lasting Religious Significance
Taken together, the cemetery, crypts, catacombs, and layers of decoration demonstrate that the Grotto of the Seven Sleepers remained a living place of faith for more than a thousand years. The site reflects changing artistic styles, evolving religious practices, and the deep devotion of generations of pilgrims who came to Ephesus seeking hope, healing, and belief in resurrection.
