Terrace Houses of Ephesus, Ephesus
The Terrace Houses of Ephesus, also known as the Slope Houses, offer a rare and intimate glimpse into the lives of the city's wealthiest citizens during the Roman era. Located near Curetes Street and opposite the Temple of Hadrian, these opulent residences were inhabited from the 1st to the 7th century AD. Built in line with the Hippodamian plan, the houses followed a grid-like street structure and featured private entrances, running water, and luxurious interiors. Archaeologists have been excavating seven of these homes鈥攐nce owned by high-ranking officials, governors, and affluent merchants鈥攕ince the 1960s. The site was opened to the public around 15 years ago and is still an active excavation area where visitors can often observe archaeologists at work.
The complex is divided into two main sections: the Eastern and Western Complexes. The Eastern Complex spans approximately 2,500 square meters and contains houses built across three terraces, including a grand domus on the second terrace. This two-storey home features a peristyle courtyard surrounded by Ionic columns, a hall with a marble-covered fountain niche, and even a private basilica. The Western Complex consists of at least five luxurious villas, many of which still display vivid frescoes and intricate floor mosaics. These homes included multiple rooms such as vestibules, kitchens, and even private baths, and were adorned with artwork depicting mythological figures like Herakles, Ariadne, and Dionysos.
One of the defining features of the Terrace Houses is their stunning decorative art. Frescoes illustrating scenes with Apollo and the Muses, Socrates, and Eros, as well as vibrant portrayals of animals and floral motifs, have been preserved remarkably well. The houses also contain the richest collection of Roman mosaic floors in western Turkey, many of which feature geometric patterns created from black and white stones in the Roman-Italian style. Notably, a shattered glass mosaic from a villa niche has been painstakingly restored, adding to the site鈥檚 visual richness.
The complex is divided into two main sections: the Eastern and Western Complexes. The Eastern Complex spans approximately 2,500 square meters and contains houses built across three terraces, including a grand domus on the second terrace. This two-storey home features a peristyle courtyard surrounded by Ionic columns, a hall with a marble-covered fountain niche, and even a private basilica. The Western Complex consists of at least five luxurious villas, many of which still display vivid frescoes and intricate floor mosaics. These homes included multiple rooms such as vestibules, kitchens, and even private baths, and were adorned with artwork depicting mythological figures like Herakles, Ariadne, and Dionysos.
One of the defining features of the Terrace Houses is their stunning decorative art. Frescoes illustrating scenes with Apollo and the Muses, Socrates, and Eros, as well as vibrant portrayals of animals and floral motifs, have been preserved remarkably well. The houses also contain the richest collection of Roman mosaic floors in western Turkey, many of which feature geometric patterns created from black and white stones in the Roman-Italian style. Notably, a shattered glass mosaic from a villa niche has been painstakingly restored, adding to the site鈥檚 visual richness.
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.
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Terrace Houses of Ephesus on Map
Sight Name: Terrace Houses of Ephesus
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.
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
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