Selçuk Ephesus Museum

One of the most important museums representing Türkiye's cultural heritage wealth, Selçuk Ephesus Museum (also known as Ephesus Museum) is located in the Selçuk district of İzmir province, hosting the exhibition of artifacts obtained from Ephesus Ancient City and other surrounding archaeological sites.

The museum draws attention not only with the archaeological materials it presents but also with its thematically arranged halls designed with a contemporary museology approach, educational activities, and social responsibility projects. With finds spanning a broad time frame from the Mycenaean period to the Ottoman era, the museum is an important focal point for understanding Türkiye's ancient heritage.

The exhibition strategy of Selçuk Ephesus Museum is based on a thematic approach that prioritizes find locations rather than a chronological arrangement. In this respect, the museum halls are organized as “Yamaç Houses and Household Finds Hall,” “Coin and Treasure Section,” “Grave Finds Hall,” “Ephesus Artemis Hall,” and “Imperial Cults Hall.” In addition, various architectural and sculptural works are presented to visitors through open-air displays in the museum’s inner and central courtyards.

In the Yamaç Houses and Household Finds Hall, objects representing elements of daily life such as medical and cosmetic tools, jewelry, musical and entertainment instruments, lighting devices, weights, and weaving materials are exhibited alongside religious and cultural items such as figurines, busts of gods and emperors, and home decoration elements. A section of this hall, called the “Socrates Room,” is enriched with an indoor domestic scene staged with frescoes, mosaics, and furniture.

Selçuk Ephesus Museum goes beyond classical museum halls by including various functional and social spaces. Within this scope, three new sections have been developed:

• Arasta and Bath Section: Located adjacent to the central courtyard, this area depicts Turkish handicrafts and rural life scenes, introducing elements such as bead making, copper work, and traditional mill systems. A 16th-century Ottoman bath located in the area has also been restored and integrated into the museum's exhibition space.

• Ayasuluk Library: Created by restoring a 14th-century Turkish structure, this section functions as a social space where the people of Selçuk can read books and newspapers.

• Museum for the Visually Impaired: One of the ancient shops in the lower agora of Ephesus was restored and arranged with an accessible museology approach, opening as a museum where both replicas and original artifacts are exhibited for the visually impaired.

• Socrates Head: Made of high-quality white marble, this portrait reflects the idealized facial features of Socrates with his wavy hair, beard, and mustache. The upward gaze of the eyes, together with the forehead lines, creates a contemplative expression. The detailed carving of the pupils and cheek lines reveals the sculptor's mastery.

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• Androklos and His Dog Statue Group: Depicting Androklos, the legendary founder of Ephesus, with his dog, this statue group is a Roman-era copy. Reflecting the founding myth recounted in ancient sources, the work is inspired by Skopas’ Meleagros statue.

• Eros Head: This marble work, with its head broken off from the neck, is a copy of Lysippos’ “Eros Stringing His Bow” statue. Its innocent and childlike facial expression reflects the aesthetic understanding of the period.

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• Ivory Frieze (Trajan Frieze): Found in the fire layer of the Yamaç Houses in small pieces, this ivory frieze consists of three panels depicting Emperor Trajan’s preparations for war. The panels are separated by caryatid figures. The combination of high and low reliefs gives the frieze depth.

• Eros with Dolphin Figurine: Found on Kuretler Street, this bronze statue is one of the rare examples depicting Eros riding a dolphin. The holes in the dolphin’s eyes and mouth indicate that it was used as a fountain ornament.

• Marcus Aurelius Bust: This marble bust of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius draws attention with the wrinkles on his forehead and its simple composition. He is wearing a paludamentum fastened with a fibula on his right shoulder.

• Huntress Artemis Statue: Found in the Yamaç Houses, this work reflects the iconography of Artemis as the goddess of nature and hunting, similar to depictions in Athens. Despite its broken limbs, the compositional integrity has been preserved. The thin dress she wears and her stance highlight classical aesthetic values.

• Resting Warrior: Found in the excavations of the Pollio Fountain, the statue depicts a semi-reclining warrior. The position of the arms and legs supports the movement of the composition, while the facial expression represents tranquility.

• Great Artemis Statue: Becoming the symbol of Ephesus, this colossal cult statue was made during the Roman period and carries the characteristics of the Anatolian goddess Kybele. The triple-tiered temple-shaped polos on her head symbolizes the belief that the goddess ruled over the entire city. The four rows of protrusions on the chest are thought to be related to fertility.

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• Beautiful Artemis Statue: Made of white marble and inspired by the Archaic Period Ephesus Artemis cult, this statue symbolizes dominance over nature and animals. It is among the most remarkable artifacts of Selçuk Ephesus Museum.

Selçuk Ephesus Museum is not merely a venue for displaying archaeological artifacts but a cultural institution that documents the cultural continuity from past to present and stands out with contemporary museology practices. With its artifacts providing important insights into the social, political, and religious life of ancient Ephesus the museum is a unique source of information for both scholars and the general public. Through the way artifacts are exhibited, spatial arrangements, and inclusive projects targeting various segments of society, Selçuk Ephesus Museum plays a key role in preserving and promoting Türkiye’s cultural heritage.