Library of Celsus, Ephesus (must see)
Built in the early 2nd century AD by Consul Gaius Julius Aquila, the Library of Celsus was dedicated to his father, Gaius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, the former governor of Asia Minor. More than just a repository of knowledge, the library also served as a mausoleum, housing Celsus' white marble sarcophagus in a crypt beneath the building.
The two-story facade, with its intricate marble work and towering columns, is a striking display of neoclassical design. Its grandeur is further accentuated by an architectural illusion: the middle columns are slightly larger than those at the ends, creating a perception of even greater height and majesty.
The facade of the library is adorned with four statues representing the Four Virtues: Wisdom, Goodness, Thought, and Knowledge. These statues, now housed in the Ephesus Museum in Vienna, symbolized not only the virtues of Celsus himself but also the ideals that Roman officials were expected to uphold. Visitors ascending the nine-step staircase are greeted by ornately decorated columns and lace-like marble ceilings, showcasing scenes of mythological figures such as Bellerophon riding Pegasus and Apollo's life.
The library once held an impressive collection of 12,000 scrolls, making it the third-largest library in the ancient world after Alexandria and Pergamum. Ingeniously designed, the building featured a one-meter gap between its inner and outer walls to protect the scrolls from humidity and temperature fluctuations. Despite centuries of decay, the library's facade was meticulously restored in the 1970s by the Austrian Archaeological Institute, returning its former glory to this historical treasure.
The two-story facade, with its intricate marble work and towering columns, is a striking display of neoclassical design. Its grandeur is further accentuated by an architectural illusion: the middle columns are slightly larger than those at the ends, creating a perception of even greater height and majesty.
The facade of the library is adorned with four statues representing the Four Virtues: Wisdom, Goodness, Thought, and Knowledge. These statues, now housed in the Ephesus Museum in Vienna, symbolized not only the virtues of Celsus himself but also the ideals that Roman officials were expected to uphold. Visitors ascending the nine-step staircase are greeted by ornately decorated columns and lace-like marble ceilings, showcasing scenes of mythological figures such as Bellerophon riding Pegasus and Apollo's life.
The library once held an impressive collection of 12,000 scrolls, making it the third-largest library in the ancient world after Alexandria and Pergamum. Ingeniously designed, the building featured a one-meter gap between its inner and outer walls to protect the scrolls from humidity and temperature fluctuations. Despite centuries of decay, the library's facade was meticulously restored in the 1970s by the Austrian Archaeological Institute, returning its former glory to this historical treasure.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Ephesus. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 黑料吃瓜网 App
Library of Celsus on Map
Sight Name: Library of Celsus
Sight Location: Ephesus, Turkey (See walking tours in Ephesus)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Ephesus, Turkey (See walking tours in Ephesus)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Ephesus, Turkey
Create Your Own Walk in Ephesus
Creating your own self-guided walk in Ephesus is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Selcuk Introduction Walking Tour
Sel莽uk is a town near Izmir, in western Turkey. It鈥檚 the gateway to Ephesus, a vast, ancient city with the remains of a large theater and the Library of Celsus. South is the House of Virgin Mary, a domed chapel and religious shrine. Near Sel莽uk, a marble column is one of a few remains of the Temple of Artemis. The Ephesus Museum has more items from the temple, plus other artifacts excavated... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Ephesus Introduction Walking Tour
Ephesus, the most important Greek city in Ionian Asia Minor, the ruins of which lie near the modern village of Sel茍uk in western Turkey. Ephesus is one of the largest and most impressive ancient cities in the world and is one of T眉rkiye鈥檚 most significant ancient cities. Its cultural and historical significance was highlighted in its addition to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 2015. The... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles