The Marble Street (Latin: Via Marmorea) was one of the most impressive roads of ancient Ephesus, connecting the Great Theatre (on the slopes of Mount Pion) with the square in front of the Library of Celsus. Paved with white marble, this grand thoroughfare served not only as a transport route but also as a ceremonial promenade, reflecting the wealth and grandeur of the city during the Roman period (1st–3rd centuries AD).
Dimensions and Architecture of Marble Street
• Length: ~400 meters
• Width: 11 meters (including sidewalks on either side)
• Pavement: Thick slabs of Proconnesian marble, laid with a slight slope for water drainage.
• Colonnades: Covered porticoes with Ionic columns lined both sides, providing shade for pedestrians.
In antiquity, the street was adorned with statues, fountains, and market stalls. Beneath it ran an advanced sewer system, and at night, oil lamps illuminated the way.
The Mysterious Footprint: A Mark in the Marble
On one of the slabs near the intersection with Curetes Street, an engraved outline of a left foot (approximately modern size 43) has been preserved. Nearby are depictions of a woman’s head and a heart, along with a Greek inscription: "ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙ" ("Follow me").
The Brothel Myth
A popular legend claims this mark was a sign pointing to a brothel, supposedly located nearby. However:
• There is no archaeological evidence of a brothel in this area.
• The footprint points not toward a building but toward the square near the library.
• In Roman cities, such symbols more commonly indicated meeting spots or advertisements for merchants.
More Plausible Explanations:
• A shoemaker’s advertisement (a workshop may have been nearby).
• A sign for a tavern or bathhouse.
• A ritual symbol (footprints in antiquity were sometimes linked to divine presence, such as the cult of Hermes).
What Did the Marble Street Look Like in Ephesus’ Heyday?
• Commercial hub: Shops selling textiles, olive oil, and papyrus.
• Political center: Processions marched here toward the theater, where civic matters were decided.
• Religious significance: The street led to the Temple of Hadrian and the Fountain of Trajan.
• Engineering marvels: Beneath the slabs, lead pipes of the aqueduct system remain intact.
Today, Marble Street is the best-preserved ancient avenue in Turkey. Its stones have been polished smooth by millions of footsteps over 2,000 years, and damaged sections (e.g., from earthquakes) have been carefully restored.
Fun fact: During the Byzantine era, parts of the street were dismantled for church construction, but its core structure remained untouched.
If you visit Ephesus, try walking it barefoot, as the Romans did, and imagine statues of emperors lining your path under the rustle of silk canopies
