Prytaneion, Ephesus
The Prytaneion of Ephesus served as the religious and administrative heart of the ancient city. Built during the 3rd century BCE under the reign of Lysimachos, it functioned as the city hall where political meetings, banquets, and ceremonial receptions took place. The most sacred aspect of the Prytaneion was its eternal flame, kept alight in honor of the goddess Hestia. This flame, believed to have originated from Mount Olympos, symbolized the spiritual core of Ephesus and was tended by the Curetes, priestesses dedicated to Hestia's cult.
Architecturally, the building resembled a private residence but included significant civic features. It housed an assembly hall, administrative rooms, a dining area, and the state archives. Its fa莽ade was marked by unfluted Doric columns bearing the names of the Curetes. Behind these columns was a courtyard with mosaic floors, and to the northeast lay the cult room of Hestia Boulaia. This sacred space featured heart-shaped double columns at each corner and a ceremonial hearth, easily identified today by red floor markings and the base of an altar. The eastern section of the building was constructed in alignment with this altar, emphasizing its religious significance.
Over time, the Prytaneion underwent several modifications. In the 1st century BCE, a southern courtyard with three fa莽ades was added, and by the 3rd century CE, the decorative double columns in the cult room were installed. However, the building fell into disuse by the 4th century CE, and materials from it were reused in other structures like the Scholastica Baths. Following an earthquake, two statues of Artemis鈥攐ne buried to protect it from destruction by Christians鈥攚ere discovered in the sanctuary during excavations in the 20th century. These now reside in the Ephesus Museum.
Architecturally, the building resembled a private residence but included significant civic features. It housed an assembly hall, administrative rooms, a dining area, and the state archives. Its fa莽ade was marked by unfluted Doric columns bearing the names of the Curetes. Behind these columns was a courtyard with mosaic floors, and to the northeast lay the cult room of Hestia Boulaia. This sacred space featured heart-shaped double columns at each corner and a ceremonial hearth, easily identified today by red floor markings and the base of an altar. The eastern section of the building was constructed in alignment with this altar, emphasizing its religious significance.
Over time, the Prytaneion underwent several modifications. In the 1st century BCE, a southern courtyard with three fa莽ades was added, and by the 3rd century CE, the decorative double columns in the cult room were installed. However, the building fell into disuse by the 4th century CE, and materials from it were reused in other structures like the Scholastica Baths. Following an earthquake, two statues of Artemis鈥攐ne buried to protect it from destruction by Christians鈥攚ere discovered in the sanctuary during excavations in the 20th century. These now reside in the Ephesus Museum.
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Prytaneion on Map
Sight Name: Prytaneion
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