Celsus Library: A Marvel of Ancient Architecture

Located in the heart of Ephesus, an ancient Greek city in modern-day Turkey, the Celsus Library stands as a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of the ancient world. Built in the 2nd century AD, the library is named after its founder, Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, a Roman senator and governor of the province of Asia.

The library was built to honor Celsus after his death by his son, Gaius Julius Aquila, and completed in 135 AD. It was designed by the Greek architect, Vitruoya, and is one of the few buildings in the world that has survived in such a well-preserved state.

The exterior of the library is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures, including four female figures representing wisdom, knowledge, intelligence, and virtue. The façade also features two-story columns with ornate Corinthian capitals, which provide a stunning visual effect.

Inside, the library housed an impressive collection of over 12,000 scrolls, making it one of the largest and most important libraries in the ancient world. The books were kept in niches along the walls, which were sealed with glass doors to protect them from dust and moisture.

The library's reading room was located on the second floor and could accommodate up to 20 people at a time. The room was designed to provide a quiet and serene atmosphere for studying and reading. The floors and ceilings were made of marble, and the walls were lined with niches and shelves for the books.

The library also had a lecture hall, where scholars and philosophers could give lectures and discussions. The hall was decorated with intricate sculptures and carvings, including busts of prominent intellectuals and philosophers.