Bibliothèque de Celsus
Bibliothèque de Celsus
5
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Built by Julius Aquila in 110 A.D. as a memorial for his father, the Celsus Library is one of the finest buildings in Ephesus. The two-story building contained over 12,000 hand-written books, making it one of the largest library collections of its time.
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5.0
1,768 reviews
Excellent
1,554
Very good
195
Average
18
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Bahadir S.
Canakkale, Türkiye591 contributions
Aug 2019
I can say the most beautiful part of the magnificent Ephesus Ancient City. This library, which was built during the Ionian period (135 AD) in the First Age, is said to have 14000 books in its time. Although it looks like two-floored, it was originally three-floored. The source of the name is that the library was built in honor of Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemeanus by his son Gaius Julius Aquila with his own financial contribution and other donations.
This building, which has seen great damage due to disasters and wars over time, has been reorganized with the restoration work carried out by the Archaeologist Strocka and architect Hueber from the Austrian Archaeological team, and the building has been re-opened in its current appearance.
This building, which has seen great damage due to disasters and wars over time, has been reorganized with the restoration work carried out by the Archaeologist Strocka and architect Hueber from the Austrian Archaeological team, and the building has been re-opened in its current appearance.
Written 28 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RebeccaTravels Culture Seeker & Foodie
181 contributions
Feb 2020
To stand at the bottom of the Library of Celsus is a marvellous experience, the facade is beautiful, and three statues are in the niches. Photos do not transmit the impressive height and patters. You can walk up the steps and into the back,also it was interesting to notice the ancient graffiti of a menorah on the steps.
Written 10 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helene S
Houston, TX1,954 contributions
Dec 2019
The facade of the Library of Celsus is a beautiful reconstructed ruin from the Roman Empire. It was the third largest library in the ancient world and held over 12,000 scrolls. It was built as a mausoleum to honor the Roman Senator Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus by his son in 117 AD.
It is a really beautiful landmark in Ephesus at the base of Curetes Street. Decorated with marble statues, Corinthian style columns, and ornate carvings and ceilings, it was restored with the help of the Austrian Archeological Institute in the 1970s. The four statues in the niches represent the four virtues of Celsus--wisdom (Sophia), knowledge (Episteme), intelligence (Ennoia) and valor (Arete). There is a menorah carved into the floor behind one of the sets of columns.
The Celsus Library was featured on several Turkish lira banknotes. An amazing landmark in Ephesus.
It is a really beautiful landmark in Ephesus at the base of Curetes Street. Decorated with marble statues, Corinthian style columns, and ornate carvings and ceilings, it was restored with the help of the Austrian Archeological Institute in the 1970s. The four statues in the niches represent the four virtues of Celsus--wisdom (Sophia), knowledge (Episteme), intelligence (Ennoia) and valor (Arete). There is a menorah carved into the floor behind one of the sets of columns.
The Celsus Library was featured on several Turkish lira banknotes. An amazing landmark in Ephesus.
Written 4 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Penka P
Plovdiv28 contributions
Nov 2019 • Friends
One place that will make you feel fantastic to go back in history and be part of it.Walking around the Ancient city of Ephesus you do see how increadible this part of Turkey had influence in the world.I was humble to take steps in all the ancient sites.This will stay with me for the rest of my life.I was blessed to be able to go and enjoy the beauty of Ephesus.
Written 13 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jajavalB
Lampang, Thailand3,875 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
This attraction is well preserved ruins, main facades is made of marble stones with decorations . Sculptures at the main entrance are hellenistic arts ,perfect condition.I need to walk a long way passing stone paved road through the city from the entrance . It's highlight of architecture for taking photos here.
Written 25 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zuv
Bucharest, Romania36,766 contributions
Aug 2020
One of the just a few somehow well-preserved objectives. Impressive in the size of the facade. Between the lower columns are 4 statues representing women: Sophia (wisdom), Episteme (knowledge), Ennoia (thought) and Arete (bravery). All the statues are copies, the real ones are today at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. The facade you see today is the result of restoration work from the '70s. Behind the facade is a small room, where papyrus and parchment were stored.
Written 23 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia19,408 contributions
Sept 2020
The ancient city of Ephesus has many outstanding sites, but above all of them is this magnificent library. I'm even free to say it's the best and most beautiful ancient site in all of Tukey, so it's naturally Ephesus landmark and symbol.
The library stands at the foot of the main Curetes st. It's facade is simply astonishing. During the Ephesus peak era, it was the world's 3rd largest library built in honor of Julius Celsus by his son in 2c.
The library stands at the foot of the main Curetes st. It's facade is simply astonishing. During the Ephesus peak era, it was the world's 3rd largest library built in honor of Julius Celsus by his son in 2c.
Written 25 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Merrowmum
Guildford, UK1,374 contributions
June 2022
This is most definitely the highlight of any visit to Ephesus. It might only be the frontage, but what a front! Try to get here early before the big tour groups arrive so that you get a better feel for the place (and a better chance of clearer photos). There are also some brilliant scenic photo opportunities higher up the site which include a clear view of the library.
Written 15 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Smeeta G
Mumbai, India184 contributions
June 2024 • Couples
The pathways are very uneven,slippery. The ruins are spread over a large area .Not recommended for people with walking difficulty , small children. Pls wear flat footwear ,comfortable walking shoes without heels. The structure is very majestic, beautiful some portion restored.
Written 7 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pfefmeister
San Francisco, CA4,374 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
This is the big enchilada on a tour of Ephesus ruins. You begin with impressive small ruins as you walk slightly downhill, passing interesting side structures, yet, waiting for something more impressive. Then you see it from the distance - majestic in the early morning light. They let you walk around and inside which adds to the experience. Wonderful work in progress.
Written 22 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello,
Can you advise what you should expect upon arrival of the Ancient City? Is there tours? Do people speak English?
Written 22 September 2019
Hello! Yes, many people speak English. As far as tours, there are several self-guided tours that you can download on the internet. I did not see any guided tours beyond those that were prearranged with a professional tour company. We really enjoyed our self-guided tour.
Written 17 October 2019
Would you recommend to wear walking boots to visit or would trainers be fine? I’ll be visiting in September. Thanks!
Written 4 July 2018
When we visited I wore sandals as it was really hot out and my cousin wore trainers.
It began raining and we were both slipping on the marble floors.
So regardless of the shoe, just make sure it’s got a good grip on the sole. Cause there is a lot of marble and even without the rain we slipped a few times and so did many other people.
Written 16 July 2019
angelfire2015
Charlotte, North Carolina
Please Note--- May 3, 2017, Mariola is incorrect: it is Roman architecture,
not Greek.
I don't know my husband's trip advisor password so am sending this to you instead. Please correct.
Written 10 June 2017
indeed that is correct, in fact it's basically all Roman architecture as Hadrians temple, the amphitheatre and terraced houses can vouch for.
Written 10 June 2017
Hi, What are the hours of operation? We will arrive in the evening and need to leave the following morning? Hoping we can do an evening/night tour of the library?? Thanks
Written 8 May 2016
I don't think you can visit at night. I didn't see any lights there! We visited during the day. I don't think the staff work at night either so you can't buy entry tickets.
Written 10 May 2016
bonjour,
nous envisageons la visite d'Ephèse la deuxième semaine de janvier.
Au départ d'Istanbul vous nous conseillez de prendre l'avion et de rentrer le soir? ou bien de passer la nuit à Izmir? la visite avec guide?
merci
Written 29 December 2014
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