# The Celsus Library

Canonical: https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/the-celsus-library/
Site: Tubos Travel – https://tubostravelturkey.com/
Language: en
Also described in: de, fr, es, it, pt, nl, ru, zh-CN, tr, ar, hi
Categories: İZMİR
Last updated: 2026-11-01
Summary: Explore the Celsus Library in Ephesus: see the four virtue statues, the crypt of Senator Celsus, and the best times to visit the ruins without crowds.

## Overview

**The Celsus Library: A Sanctuary of Ancient Knowledge**

**A Treasure in the Heart of Ephesus**

The Celsus Library stands in Ephesus, on the Aegean coast. This architectural landmark has been a symbol of wisdom and learning for centuries. Below we look at its history, significance and current state.

**History**
Construction of the Celsus Library began in the 2nd century AD during the Roman Empire. Commissioned by the son of the Roman senator Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, this grand structure was dedicated to his father's memory. With an estimated capacity of around 12,000 scrolls, it was one of the largest and most impressive libraries of the ancient world.

**Significance**
**Center of Ancient Knowledge:** The Celsus Library served as a vital hub for learning and intellectual exchange during the Roman Empire.
**Architectural Masterpiece**: It is considered one of the finest examples of Roman architecture.
**Symbol of Ephesus:** The library is an iconic landmark and a major draw for visitors to the ancient city.
**World Heritage Site:** The Celsus Library is part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed [ancient city of Ephesus](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/ephesus/).

**What to See**
**Facade:** The most striking feature of the library is its impressive façade, adorned with four statues representing Wisdom, Knowledge, Intellect, and Virtue.
**Reading Room:** The interior of the library, including the reading room, offers a glimpse into the grandeur of ancient libraries.
**Bookcases:** The niches in the walls were designed to hold scrolls, showcasing the vast collection of knowledge once housed here.
**Ancient Ephesus:** Explore the rest of the ancient city, including the [Great Theatre](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/the-great-theatre-of-ephesus/) and the [Ephesus Agora](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/the-ephesus-agora/), and visit the nearby [Temple of Artemis](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/the-temple-of-artemis/).

**Current State**
While the Celsus Library has undergone significant restoration, it remains partly in ruins. It is still a popular tourist destination and reflects the intellectual achievements of the ancient world.

**Conclusion**
The Celsus Library is a lasting symbol of human curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge. A visit to this masterpiece of Roman architecture lets you step back in time.

## Visiting The Celsus Library: practical information

The Celsus Library stands at the heart of the Ephesus Archaeological Site in Selcuk, positioned at the angle where the sloped Curetes Street meets the flat Marble Road. Whether you enter the ruins through the Upper Gate (Magnesia Gate) or the Lower Gate (Harbor Gate), the main footpath leads straight into the paved courtyard in front of the library facade. Visitors reach Selcuk by train or car from Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport, or by taxi and tour bus from the Kusadasi cruise port. The monument is open daily as part of the UNESCO-listed archaeological park, and visitors can climb the front porch steps and enter the ground-level reading room interior.

Plan to pause in the courtyard to examine the lower niches, carved door frames, and interior brickwork. Because the facade faces east, early morning sunlight illuminates the two-story marble columns directly, while late afternoon and seasonal Night Museum openings let you view the structure with fewer tour groups and cooler air. Entry is covered by the general 40 euro daytime Ephesus ticket, and both Museum Pass Turkiye and the Museum Pass Aegean are accepted during regular daytime hours. Check the official site before you go for current hours and prices.

## History and what to see

Commissioned by the Roman consul Tiberius Julius Aquila and completed around 135 AD during the reign of Emperor Hadrian, the building honored Aquila's father, Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, who had served as Roman Consul in 92 AD and Governor of the Roman Province of Asia in 115 AD. Surpassed in size only by the libraries of Alexandria and Pergamum in the Greco-Roman world, its interior perished in a fire in 262 AD, and Austrian researchers led by Volker Michael Strocka and Friedmund Hueber re-erected the fallen facade between 1970 and 1978 using the anastylosis method.

- **Four Personifications of Virtue:** The lower-story niches hold cast statues of four female figures representing Celsus's qualities: *Sophia* (wisdom), *Arete* (valor), *Ennoia* (intelligence), and *Episteme* (knowledge), while the originals excavated in 1903 to 1904 reside in Vienna.
- **The Burial Crypt of Senator Celsus:** In a rare exception to Roman laws forbidding burial inside city walls, Celsus was entombed in a carved marble sarcophagus inside a vaulted crypt directly beneath the central apse of the reading room.
- **Double-Wall Climate Protection:** Step inside the 180-square-meter reading room to see the double-walled brick construction, which left an air gap around the inner walls to insulate the wooden scroll niches from ground dampness and heat.
- **Gate of Mazeus and Mithridates:** Immediately on the right side of the library forecourt stands a triple-arched monumental gate built by two freedmen of Emperor Augustus, leading into the Commercial Agora.

## Nearby places to combine

Because the Celsus Library sits at the main intersection inside ancient Ephesus, you can step directly from its courtyard into the surrounding Roman streets and pair your visit with other stops in Selcuk.

- **[The Ephesus Agora](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/the-ephesus-agora/):** Walk right through the triple-arched Gate of Mazeus and Mithridates next to the library porch to enter the expansive square marketplace of Roman Ephesus.
- **[The Great Theatre of Ephesus](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/the-great-theatre-of-ephesus/):** Follow the wheel-rutted Marble Road north from the library courtyard to reach the 25,000-seat hillside amphitheater at the end of Harbor Street.
- **[Ephesus](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/ephesus/):** Explore the upper half of the archaeological site along Curetes Street, including the Terrace Houses directly across from the library, the Temple of Hadrian, and the Fountain of Trajan.
- **[Ephesus Museum](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/ephesus-museum/):** Head into nearby Selcuk town after leaving the ruins to see original marble sculptures, coins, and domestic frescoes excavated from the city.

## Comparison

Comparing the Celsus Library with Nearby Ephesus Monuments

| Place | Type | Time needed | Best for | Entry |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [The Celsus Library](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/the-celsus-library/) | Roman library and tomb | n/a | Reconstructed two-story marble facade and four virtue statues | Ticket |
| [The Great Theatre of Ephesus](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/the-great-theatre-of-ephesus/) | Ancient open-air theater | n/a | Climbing the 25,000-seat cavea and viewing Harbor Street | Ticket |
| [The Ephesus Agora](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/the-ephesus-agora/) | Roman commercial agora | n/a | Exploring the ancient market square beside the library | Ticket |
| [Ephesus Museum](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/ephesus-museum/) | Indoor archaeological museum | n/a | Viewing original Ephesian sculptures in Selcuk town | Ticket |

## Frequently asked questions

**Are the statues on the Celsus Library facade original?**

The four female statues standing in the lower niches of the Celsus Library today are high-accuracy copies placed there during the 1970 to 1978 reconstruction. Austrian archaeologists uncovered the original marble statues of Sophia, Arete, Ennoia, and Episteme during excavations in 1903 and 1904, and those originals are displayed at the Ephesos Museum in Vienna. However, the carved columns, capitals, and entablatures of the reconstructed facade incorporate the original ancient marble blocks found on site.

**Can you go inside the Celsus Library?**

Yes, visitors can walk up the wide marble steps, pass through the three doorway openings of the facade, and stand inside the unroofed reading room. From the interior floor, you can see the brick wall niches that once held wooden cabinets for around 12,000 scrolls, as well as the central semicircular apse. The lower subterranean crypt holding Celsus's marble sarcophagus is generally closed to regular foot traffic.

**When is the best time of day to photograph the Celsus Library?**

Because the facade of the Celsus Library faces east, morning sunlight shines directly onto the marble columns and statues. Arriving as soon as the gates of Ephesus open in the morning also lets you reach the courtyard before large cruise ship groups gather on the steps. Another option is to visit during the seasonal Night Museum hours when warm spotlights illuminate the two-story stonework against the dark sky.

**Is the Celsus Library included in the standard Ephesus ticket?**

Yes, the Celsus Library is the central landmark along the main walking route inside the Ephesus Archaeological Site and requires no extra fee beyond the park entrance ticket. Daytime admission to Ephesus is 40 euros for foreign visitors, and both Museum Pass Turkiye and the Museum Pass Aegean are accepted at the turnstiles. Only the covered Terrace Houses across the street from the library require an additional ticket.

**How did the Celsus Library protect its ancient scrolls?**

Roman engineers built the 180-square-meter reading room over a raised vaulted substructure so ground moisture could not seep up into the floor. They also constructed a narrow empty corridor between the inner brick wall holding the scroll niches and the outer wall of the building. This double-wall design circulated air and buffered the papyrus manuscripts against extreme heat and humidity until a fire destroyed the interior in 262 AD.

**Why was Senator Celsus buried inside the library?**

In the Roman Empire, burial inside a city's sacred boundary was normally prohibited by law and reserved only for recognized heroes or city founders. Because Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus had served as a Roman Consul and as a respected Governor of the Province of Asia, the city of Ephesus granted his son Tiberius Julius Aquila permission to build the library as a monumental hero-tomb. Celsus's marble sarcophagus was placed in a vaulted burial chamber directly beneath the main apse.

## Summaries in other languages

- de: Die um 135 n. Chr. vom römischen Konsul Tiberius Iulius Aquila vollendete Celsus-Bibliothek in Ephesos diente sowohl als monumentales Grabmal für seinen Vater Senator Celsus als auch als Aufbewahrungsort für 12.000 Schriftrollen. Ihre zwischen 1970 und 1978 wiederaufgebaute zweistöckige Marmorfassade zeigt Statuen, die Weisheit, Tugend, Einsicht und Wissenschaft verkörpern.
- fr: Achevée vers 135 apr. J.-C. par le consul romain Tiberius Julius Aquila, la bibliothèque de Celsus à Éphèse servait à la fois de tombeau monumental pour son père, le sénateur Celsus, et de dépôt pour 12 000 rouleaux. Reconstruite entre 1970 et 1978, sa façade en marbre à deux étages présente des statues personnifiant la sagesse, la valeur, l'intelligence et la science.
- es: Completada hacia el año 135 d. C. por el cónsul romano Tiberio Julio Aquila, la Biblioteca de Celso en Éfeso funcionó tanto como tumba monumental para su padre, el senador Celso, como depósito para 12.000 rollos. Reconstruida entre 1970 y 1978, su fachada de mármol de dos pisos exhibe estatuas que representan la sabiduría, el valor, la inteligencia y el conocimiento.
- it: Completata intorno al 135 d.C. dal console romano Tiberio Giulio Aquila, la Biblioteca di Celso a Efeso fungeva sia da tomba monumentale per il padre, il senatore Celso, sia da archivio per 12.000 rotoli. Ricostruita tra il 1970 e il 1978, la sua facciata in marmo a due piani ospita statue che personificano saggezza, valore, intelligenza e conoscenza.
- pt: Concluída por volta de 135 d.C. pelo cônsul romano Tibério Júlio Áquila, a Biblioteca de Celso em Éfeso funcionava tanto como túmulo monumental para seu pai, o senador Celso, quanto como acervo para 12.000 rolos de papiro. Reconstruída entre 1970 e 1978, sua fachada de mármore de dois andares exibe estátuas que representam a sabedoria, a virtude, a inteligência e o conhecimento.
- nl: De Bibliotheek van Celsus in Efeze, voltooid rond 135 n.Chr. door de Romeinse consul Tiberius Julius Aquila, diende zowel als monumentaal graf voor zijn vader senator Celsus als opslagplaats voor 12.000 boekrollen. De tussen 1970 en 1978 gereconstrueerde marmeren gevel van twee verdiepingen toont beelden die wijsheid, deugd, inzicht en kennis verbeelden.
- ru: Библиотека Цельса в Эфесе, завершенная около 135 года н. э. римским консулом Тиберием Юлием Аквилой, служила одновременно монументальной гробницей для его отца сенатора Цельса и хранилищем для 12 000 свитков. Воссозданный в 1970-1978 годах двухъярусный мраморный фасад украшен статуями, олицетворяющими мудрость, доблесть, мысль и знание.
- zh-CN: 以弗所的塞尔苏斯图书馆由罗马执政官提比略·尤利乌斯·阿奎拉于公元135年左右建成，既是其父塞尔苏斯元老的纪念性陵墓，也是可藏12000卷书卷的图书馆。其双层大理石立面于1970年至1978年间重建，龛内立有象征智慧、勇德、思虑与知识的四座雕像。
- tr: Roma konsülü Tiberius Julius Aquila tarafından MS 135 yılı civarında tamamlanan Efes'teki Celsus Kütüphanesi, hem babası Senatör Celsus için anıtsal bir mezar hem de 12 bin parşömenin korunduğu bir kütüphane olarak hizmet vermiştir. 1970 ile 1978 yılları arasında yeniden ayağa kaldırılan iki katlı mermer cephesinde bilgelik, erdem, zeka ve bilgiyi simgeleyen heykeller yer alır.
- ar: اكتمل بناء مكتبة سيلسوس في أفسس نحو عام 135 ميلادي على يد القنصل الروماني تيبيريوس يوليوس أكويلا، وقد عملت ضريحا تذكاريا لوالده السيناتور سيلسوس ومستودعا يضم 12000 لفافة في آن واحد. أعيد بناء واجهتها الرخامية المكونة من طابقين بين عامي 1970 و1978، وتزدان بتماثيل تجسد الحكمة والشجاعة والذكاء والمعرفة.
- hi: रोमन कौंसल तिबेरियस जूलियस अक्विला द्वारा लगभग 135 ईस्वी में पूरा किया गया इफिसस का सेल्सस पुस्तकालय उनके पिता सीनेटर सेल्सस के स्मारकीय मकबरे और 12000 पांडुलिपियों के भंडार दोनों के रूप में कार्य करता था। 1970 और 1978 के बीच पुनर्निर्मित इसके दो मंजिला संगमरमर के अग्रभाग पर ज्ञान, शौर्य, बुद्धिमत्ता और विद्या का प्रतिनिधित्व करने वाली मूर्तियाँ सुशोभित हैं।

## Images

- https://tubostravelturkey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Ephesus_Celsus_Library_Facade-scaled.jpg — Ephesus_Celsus_Library_Façade
- https://tubostravelturkey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/189157-scaled.jpg — 189157
- https://tubostravelturkey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/The-Library-Of-Celsus-in-Ephesus-Turkey.webp — The Celsus Library – Full sunlit facade of the Library of Celsus in Ephesus with surrounding ruins. Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
- https://tubostravelturkey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/commons-2-42.jpg — The Celsus Library – Low-angle view of columns, pediments, and statues on the Celsus Library facade. Photo: Giorgio Galeotti, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

## Sources

- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library_of_Celsus
- https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1018
- https://muze.gov.tr

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