The sacred street running round Mount Pion is called the Curetes Street between the Domitian Square and the Celsus Library. The Curetes were the semi gods famed in mythology by the noise they made. Later an order of priests was created by the same name in Ephesus. These would come out of the Prytaneum in ceremonial costume and in procession (possibly making noise), would reach the square in front of the Celsus Library which marked the end of this street, then passing through the Gate of Hadrian they would go along the skirts of Mount Coressus to Ortygia (8 km), the mythological birthplace of the goddess Artemis.
Their mission here was to represent dramatically the birth of Artemis.The Curetes Street was paved with regular marble blocks. This paving and the columns on the sides of the street were repaired lastly in the second half of the 4th century.
At a time when Ephesus was weak economically existing pieces were made use of and no new marble cutting material was used. Until the middle of the 4th century the street had on both sides a covered portico wi th columns, but these porticoes were destroyed at later periods. Behind the porticoes were shops of which only the ones on the library side have been excavated. The statue bases visible in front of the columns were for the statues and busts of the persons who had done useful deeds for the city.
Lower down the street the shops of which the excavation was completed provided entrance to the houses on the terraces by the stairs at their back. As is often the case today also the house was at the back and the shop in front. In this section some of the mosaic paving of the floor of the portico has been repaired. The narrow side streets opening onto the main street extend as far as the hills on either side.
The statue on the base found at the beginning of the Curetes Street, as seen from its inscription, belonged to the physician Alexandras .At the bottom of the street there is a wide sewer. The divisioned circles on the marble pavings were used to play checkers as well as used as sundials.
Don't want to overrate this. There are many places in the world where you can follow a 2000 year old road. This fascinates because it is part of an ancient city and only recently brought back into view. Still as you follow this road past impressive ruins and continuing excavations until you reach the celsus library.
So fun to think how many people have passed there before. The stones are also hashed so that sandals had traction in the rain.
No matter what you visit you wil walk along and enjoy
This street leads downhill from the Magnesia Gate to the Library of Celsus. There are numerous buildings, mosaics, sculptures, temples and private houses to see along the way. Some (like the Merchant Houses) cost extra to see inside. And then, as now, this street always seems crowded. Perhaps that's because thousands of tourists walk down this main street in Ephesus.
This is the street where everything happens. It's not difficult to imagine the bee hive of activity that occured along this street. Can be very crowded and hot, especially with cruise ship passengers.
We came to Ephesus on a Celebrity Cruise stop over. Unfortunately, on the morning of the stop over, before disembarking I ate some frozen strawberries that made me very sick.
We were on a private tour that covered the virgin Mary’s house on the hill, and the ruined city of Ephesus.
There is a new walkway being built to make it easier for wheelchair users. There is new excavations at the start of this part of your tour.
The second you set foot on Ephesus, you know you have entered somewhere very special. The pathway leading you all the way down to the most incredible site on Ephesus the library of Celsus is absolutely filled with dents and holes and even if the ground is lifted up at most places and everything looks really rugged.
These photos are from April 1999, when we visited Ephesus as part of a tour of Turkey. The visit to Ephesus and Curetes Street was certainly a high point of the trip.
This road past impressive ruins and continuing excavations until you reach the Celsus library.