The road between Ephesus' two gates passes this cave tomb, where seven legendary Christians, persecuted by Emperor Decius in 250 AD, are buried. Walk 200m from the grotto car park to see the ruins, following the hill path to the right. The grotto is clearly visible through a wire fence, and a warden may open the gate in exchange for a small tip.
The story goes that, having refused to recant their beliefs, the Sleepers gave their possessions to the poor and went to pray in this cave on Mt Pion. They soon fell asleep, and Decius had the cave sealed. When the men were awoken centuries later by a landowner seeking to use the cave, they felt they had slept but a day, and warily sent someone into pagan Ephesus. The dazed young emissary was just as surprised to find Christian churches there as the Ephesians were to find someone presenting 200-year-old coins. The local bishop, Stephen, met the Sleepers, who later died and were buried in their cave.
The bishop quickly proclaimed the miracle (in around 450), immediately creating a Byzantine pilgrimage cult that would last for over 1000 years. The legend became famous as far away as France and England, and there's even a Koranic variant.
Excavation, begun in 1927, have unearthed hundreds of 4th- and 5th-century terracotta oil lamps, decorated with Christian and in some cases pagan symbols. Regardless of the legend's verisimilitude, it's clear from these finds and the scores of rock-carved graves in this necropolis that the area was important to many people for many years.
Vendors near the site sell drinks and snacks.
