A replica of the House of the Virgin Mary in the Philippines welcomes devotees in Asia’s largest Catholic nation. Father Dennis Paez led the project, which was inaugurated in 2024 in Alfonso, a town in Cavite province. The structure mirrors the original shrine in Ephesus, Turkey, where Mary is believed to have spent her final years. Paez says the site offers refuge and unconditional acceptance. Marian devotion is deeply rooted in Filipino faith, with many turning to Mary for comfort. The replica has attracted pilgrims despite little public promotion, reflecting the Virgin Mary’s enduring significance.
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The Ephesus House, a replica of the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus, Turkey, now stands at Alfonso town, Cavite province, Philippines on July 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
The Ephesus House, a replica of the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus, Turkey, now stands at Alfonso town, Cavite province, Philippines on July 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
The Ephesus House, a replica of the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus, Turkey, at Alfonso town, Cavite province, Philippines on July 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Visitors pray inside the Ephesus House, a replica of the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus, Turkey, at Alfonso town, Cavite province, Philippines on July 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
A statue of Mary modeled after the one in Turkey, alongside a relic said to be from her veil inside the Ephesus House, a replica of the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus, Turkey, at Alfonso town, Cavite province, Philippines on July 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Catholics touch one of the images of Mary inside the Ephesus House, a replica of the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus, Turkey, at Alfonso town, Cavite province, Philippines on July 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
A devotee touches one of the relics of Mary inside the Ephesus House, a replica of the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus, Turkey, at Alfonso town, Cavite province, Philippines on July 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
A relic from the veil of the Virgin Mary inside the Ephesus House, a replica of the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus, Turkey, at Alfonso town, Cavite province, Philippines on July 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
A relic from the cord clothing of the Virgin Mary inside the Ephesus House, a replica of the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus, Turkey, at Alfonso town, Cavite province, Philippines on July 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)