One of the most recognized and most famous buildings of the ancient city of Ephesis is the Library of Celsus. Before traveling to Turkey and reading up on the history of this ancient city I admit that I thought this Library was the most significant part of Ephesus. I quickly learned that it is the one structure that is most in tact although other buildings like the Temple of Artemis was actually what made Ephesus famous.
Ephesus contains the largest collection of Roman ruins in the eastern Mediterranean. As I walked through these ruins on the marble pathways and roads that have been restored I again marveled at the amazing structures there must have been. Only an estimated 15% has been excavated so far and so many treasures could still be unearthed. The ruins that are visible give some idea of the city’s original splendor but as so much has been destroyed or removed I think it is going to be hard to picture the full magnificence of what this city once was.
As I walked down the column lined Harbor Street down towards where the the harbour used to be I was greeted by what is left of this magnificent Library of Celsus. All that is left of this world famous library is the façade which has been carefully reconstructed from all its original pieces.
Designed with an exaggerated entrance the building faces east so that the reading rooms could make best use of the morning light.
This Library was originally built c. 125 AD in memory of Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, an Ancient Greek who served as governor of Roman Asia (105–107) in theRoman Empire. Celsus paid for the construction of the library with his own personal wealth and is buried in a sarcophagus beneath it. It is not clear of they have excavated this sarcophagus or if he still rests below his beloved library. The library once held nearly 12,000 scrolls, histories and legends that are now lost forever. Every now and again there are stories or legends about some of these scrolls that survived but they have never turned up anywhere.
The gate with three passage ways at the right of the Celsus Library was built in 40 A.D by the slaves Mazeus and Mythridates for their emperor, Augustus, who gave them their freedom.
Janaline's world journey 
Reblogged this on Z CUP OF TEA.
LikeLike
I really want to go back to Turkey now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too Lu!
LikeLike
Great photos! I’ve been to Ephesus in 2009 and since then I want to go back. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, Anna, it is one of those places you want to visit more than once.
LikeLike
[…] city was not only famed for the Temple of Artemis or the Library of Celsus but also for its theater which was capable of holding 25,000 spectators. This Theater is believed […]
LikeLike
Stunning pictures. So much history, still a place I’ll have to visit one day. Thanks for sharing
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sabine. I do hope you get to have a Turkish adventure soon.
LikeLike
thanks for the history and cool shots 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I am learning quite a bit myself while doing my research for these posts.
LikeLike
Fascinating history. Beautiful architecture. I hope that one day some of those scrolls can be discovered. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That would be amazing! Hopefully they will find a drawing of what this magnificent city looked like along with the scrolls……
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a beautiful place! Thanks for sharing the pictures. I feel like going there too..
LikeLiked by 1 person
You should put it on your to-see list! Turkey has so many treasures to explore you will need a couple of weeks to really see everything.
LikeLike
I am awestruck by the beauty of these ruins. It must have been an inspirational place when it was in tact because it is STILL inspirational.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I could have spent hours walking around here and would love to go back again to see everything that I have missed.
LikeLike
What an amazing building! So beautiful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think its one of the most striking structures left in Ephesus.
LikeLike