Library of Celsus
We arrived at the centerpiece of this ancient city, the Library of Celsus. This was the reason why I wanted to see Ephesus because I wanted to see this in person. Whatever is left of it, the facade is truly stunning. In the ancient time, they said that the leading libraries were Ephesus' Library of Celsus and Egypt's Bibliotheca Alexandrina (post coming up). While the latter has been completely destroyed and now rebuilt, the former is still standing tall in her glory.
In the land that is now Turkey, a wide marble road slopes down to one of the largest libraries of the ancient world. Between 12,000 and 15,000 scrolls were housed in the grand Library of Celsus in the Roman city, Ephesus.
The library is another one of those ruins that you can touch, enter, and practically do with whatever you feel like. Of course I am not suggesting you do whatever you like, respect these ruins.
We were so busy looking at details that when I came down the stairs of the library, red flag came off my brain as I see a throng of black tied men coming my way. By the time I was a few feet away from the library, the whole place was cordoned off. I was helped out of the cordon by a paparazzi, yes, he did extend his arm and pulled me up, tiny legs and all :)
Later on we found out that the vice president of Italy was visiting. No wonder we saw inside the Mazeus and Mithriadates Gate (first pic, the arched gates on the left) that the area was a set up for what looked like a garden party. We ventured there without knowing that it's off limits, until a guy who looked like security barred us from further exploring the grounds.
In the land that is now Turkey, a wide marble road slopes down to one of the largest libraries of the ancient world. Between 12,000 and 15,000 scrolls were housed in the grand Library of Celsus in the Roman city, Ephesus. Designed by the Roman architect Vitruoya, the library was built in memory of Celsus Polemeanus, who was a Roman senator, General Governor of the Province of Asia, and a great lover of books. Celsus' son, Julius Aquila, began the construction in 110 AD. The library was completed by Julius Aquila's successors in 135 AD.
Celsus was buried beneath the ground floor in a lead container inside a marble tomb. A corridor behind the north wall leads to the vault.
The Library of Celsus was remarkable not only for its size and its beauty, but also for its clever and efficient design. [source]
The library is another one of those ruins that you can touch, enter, and practically do with whatever you feel like. Of course I am not suggesting you do whatever you like, respect these ruins.
We were so busy looking at details that when I came down the stairs of the library, red flag came off my brain as I see a throng of black tied men coming my way. By the time I was a few feet away from the library, the whole place was cordoned off. I was helped out of the cordon by a paparazzi, yes, he did extend his arm and pulled me up, tiny legs and all :)Later on we found out that the vice president of Italy was visiting. No wonder we saw inside the Mazeus and Mithriadates Gate (first pic, the arched gates on the left) that the area was a set up for what looked like a garden party. We ventured there without knowing that it's off limits, until a guy who looked like security barred us from further exploring the grounds.
I'm so glad you shared these. I've always been fascinated by ruins like these and the detail that went into the art. Reminds me of my art history class. Too bad I was so busy ooohing and aaaahing I wasn't really paying attention to what I was supposed to remember. :-)
ReplyDeletei've been waiting for this post! oh, how fascinating! i love the 2nd photo--excellent shot.
ReplyDeletei hate it when there are VIPs, they spoil the view!:p
Though this building is remnants of the past, the beauty is still very evident. I would love to see this place, someday.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely fantastic, so charming. Wonderful images, Maria.
ReplyDeleteWOW, Maria. I love your new template. The color is so...me (as a redhead)! :) The more I see of your Ephesus images, the more I think THIS is the place to see before ever going back to Rome again. I'm tucking that away for further reference.
ReplyDeletewow ang daming naka black suits. parang mga naka uniforms lang hehe. btw, where's the vp?
ReplyDeleteIf the facade is still looking gorgeous even in ruins, imagine how this library must have looked back in those days!
ReplyDeleteIn Bolivia, I had similar experience to yours: the Bolivian President came out of a building just as I was in front of it.
The Library shots are outstanding and I could never imagine the view of the 'grey men' would end this post! :-)))
ReplyDeleteloved the last pic. looks like a scene from The Thomas Crowne Affair. Were you able to see the Vice President?
ReplyDeleteBTW, i like the new look.
And who but his wife would know who the Italian veep is? You nearly had a good party there!
ReplyDeletehaha, talk a about good timing! ^0^
ReplyDeleteso, did you get a glimpse of italy's v.p?
hmm, the whole archi, thing looks stunning, stunning, stunning.( with o without the men in black) ^0^
the structure is really awesome! i might just stare at it in awe. si vice pres naman nakisabay pa sa inyo! lol! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic post! Great pictures!
ReplyDeleteI have a dream... visit Greece someday...
Gosh, I've missed so many of your posts, I was hard put going through them. ;)
ReplyDeleteBut libraries, baths, theaters — your last posts are wonderful, ancient versions of three of my favorite things! Love that!
The team of suited men look so odd among the ruins. Funny too.
Even the remnants look magnificent! And to think of it, a library of this size in the acient world! I certainly would love to see it for myself one day.
ReplyDeletewow! nice nice. i like the second shot the most. great details.
ReplyDeleteThe details of the structure is fascinating. I can just imagine how it used to look like in the yesteryears.
ReplyDeleteHey, I like your new layout!
How utterly divine! I'd visit a library - ruins or not - any time! And to think you visited a Greek library. Woo hoo!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting Norwich Daily Photo and leaving your comment. Come visit again. Have a great start to your week!
such a grand library it was...but only left to your imagination and artists sketches. would love to actually see the grandeur for real but only ruins left to remind us all
ReplyDelete