Library of Celsus
Library of Celsus in Ephesus, Izmir, Turkey
The Library of Celsus is located in the ancient city of Ephesus near Selcuk, south of Izmir. It is one of the most recognizable monuments in the archaeological zone and one of the few ancient buildings that clearly convey the ceremonial appearance of a Roman city in Asia Minor.
The structure was built in the 2nd century AD as a library and at the same time as a memorial in honor of Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, the Roman governor of the province of Asia. An unusual feature of the building is that there was a burial chamber beneath it, which was a rare solution for a public building within the city.
The best-preserved and partially restored part is the facade with two tiers of columns, niches, and richly detailed architectural elements. The monument’s current appearance is the result of careful restoration using authentic fragments with the addition of missing elements. It is this facade that is most often seen in photographs of Ephesus.
For tourists, the Library of Celsus is interesting not only as a separate monument but also as an important part of the route through Ephesus. It is located near the main streets of the ancient city, so it is convenient to visit together with the theater, the agora, and other Roman structures.
Library of Celsus on the map
The Library of Celsus and Its Facade in Ephesus
The monument helps convey Roman Ephesus and its urban setting.
A restored Roman facade among the streets of ancient Ephesus
Today, visitors see first of all the ceremonial side of the building facing an ancient street. The facade features niches for statues, columns on two levels, and decorative elements designed to create an impression of depth and symmetry. The original statues that once stood in the niches are now kept in the Ephesus Archaeological Museum in Vienna, and copies have been placed on site.
The interior space of the library has survived less well than the facade, but the ruins make it possible to understand the layout of the structure. Scrolls were stored here, and the walls were designed to protect them from dampness and temperature fluctuations. Beneath the central part of the building was the tomb of Celsus, which makes this monument especially unusual in Roman urban architecture.
A visit to the library usually does not take much time, but it is better to view it as part of a walk through the entire archaeological zone of Ephesus. Very close by are Marble Street, the Great Theatre, the Gate of Mazeus and Mithridates, and the commercial squares of the ancient city, so the route can easily be continued without long walks.
The Library of Celsus is usually reached through the entrances to the Ephesus archaeological complex from the Selcuk side, after which visitors continue on foot along the marked routes. It is more convenient to come early in the morning or closer to the evening, when there is less heat in the open areas and it is easier to calmly examine the details of the facade.
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