Library of Celsus Ephesus

Library of Celsus Ephesus Informations

The Celsus Library is not only remarkable for its size and beauty, but also for its intelligent and practical design. Although the library is built on a small parcel between existing buildings, the design of the library makes a monumental dimension.

At the entrance of the library is furnished with a 21 meter wide courtyard marble. Nine large marble steps lead to a two-story gallery. Round and triangular pediments are supported by two-story double columns. The columns in the middle have larger pillar beams than the columns on the edge. This evokes the illusion that the columns are more distant from each other than they really are. To increase this effect, the column base beneath the columns gently hangs down to the edges.

On each side of the stairs, the Greek and Latin scriptures describe the life of Celsus. There are four statues of women in the four indentations along the outer wall. These sculptures symbolize wisdom (sophia), knowledge (episteme), mind (ennoia) and virtue (arete). The original of these statues were taken to Vienna during excavation.