Built between 114-117 AD, the Library of Celsus stands as one of the most impressive structures of ancient Ephesus. It was commissioned by Consul Gaius Julius Aquila as a memorial to his father, Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, former proconsul of Asia Province. The architectural design combined the finest traditions of Roman construction with elements of Greek style.
The library`s facade was a two-story structure approximately 16 meters high, adorned with:
• Four female statues representing Virtue (Arete), Wisdom (Sophia), Knowledge (Episteme), and Thought (Ennoia)
• Elegant Corinthian columns
• Decorative niches
A carefully designed perspective system (lower columns were thicker than upper ones to create an optical illusion of greater height)
Interior Structure and Treasures of the Library of Celsus
The interior space was organized with maximum functionality:
• Main hall measuring 10.90×16.70 meters
• Three-tiered scroll storage system (about 12,000 items)
• Special wall niches to protect papyri from moisture
• A separate reading room
• Underground mausoleum of Celsus (a rare case of burial within city limits)
The library housed the most important works of ancient literature, philosophical treatises, legal documents, and scientific works. It ranked as the third most significant library after those of Alexandria and Pergamon.
Destruction and Restoration of the Library of Celsus
• The library endured several stages of destruction:
• 262 AD - damaged during the Gothic invasion
• 10th century - severely affected by an earthquake
• Subsequent centuries - gradually deteriorated, with the facade buried under layers of earth
Restoration work was carried out in several phases:
• 1903-1904 - initial excavations led by Austrian archaeologist Rudolf Heberdey
• 1970-1978 - large-scale facade reconstruction
• Modern period - ongoing monument preservation monitoring
The Library of Celsus Today
• Current appearance results from meticulous scientific reconstruction
• Restored facade incorporating original architectural elements
• Preserved fragments of interior spaces
• Night lighting highlighting the structure`s beauty
The library remains one of Ephesus`s most visited landmarks, attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists annually. It is included in UNESCO`s World Heritage List and continues to amaze visitors with its grandeur nearly 2,000 years after its construction. This is the only surviving ancient library with a reconstructed façade.
The library was featured an ancient climate-control system to protect scrolls. A secret passage was discovered beneath the building leading to a nearby brothel. The allegorical statues on the facade are replicas - originals are kept at the Ephesus Museum in Vienna.
