The Celsus Library

The construction of the Celsus Library was ordered by Council Julius Aquila in the name of his father Julius Celsus Palemaeanus. It was built in 110 A.D. The Celsus Library is one of the most spectacular buildings in Ephesus. The tomb of Julius Celsus Palemaeanus can be found in a special-made room on the ground floor.

On the outside it has two floors, and in the inside it has only one 15 m. Salon. Light comes in through the windows scattered on the walls and the three floored galleries. The entry to the library was through the 9 step stone stairs from the Currettes Road and reaching to the podium which was base to the four double Corinthian columns supporting the building. These columns stand on square shaped pedestals. Right behind the columns after a narrow walk-way there were three gates. The middle one is wider and higher than the others.

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The capitals and rafters on the end columns were made smaller to appear to be farther from the center than they are, giving the building the appearance of being wider than it really is. From the niches in the upper wall it is understood that the interior was not two-floored but that there was a mezzanine balcony instead. The façade was restored along with other buildings in the 4th century and a small fountain was placed next to the steps. With the steps leading down from the library on one side and the steps leading from the street on the other, the total appearance of the courtyard is that of a small amphitheater.

During excavation frieze blocks were found on either side of the fountain depicting scenes from the Parthian wars. The parsomen book rolls used to be protected from the humidity with shelves closed by brick on both sides. The niches could have held as many as 12,000 scrolls. The theory was put forward that the frieze belonged to an altar found on the south of the courtyard of the library. Now after restoration, the Celsus Library is another monument of Ephesus. The decoration of the front totally reflects the Roman architectural style and is the most beautiful examples of its time. Because the library was built after the buildings on either side of it, it was a bit squeezed in. The originals of these statues are found in the Vienna Museum today.

The interior of the library was completely burned when the Goths invaded in 262 A.

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