A journey through history at the Ephesus Museum: From Mycenae to the Ottomans

Affiliated with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Ephesus Museum displays artifacts obtained from excavations in Ephesus and surrounding ancient cities in a thematic arrangement.

In the museum, the statues of Ephesus Artemis are particularly noteworthy. While these statues stand out for their cultural and artistic value, other significant works such as the bust of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius and the ivory Frieze of Emperor Trajan, both unearthed from the Terrace Houses excavations, also attract the attention of visitors.

In the museum's central courtyard, trade life and handicrafts from old Turkish settlements are exhibited. Ephesus Museum Director Murat Kaleağasıoğlu stated that the Ephesus Artemis statues carry the characteristics of Cybele, the mother goddess of Anatolia, and noted that these statues symbolize fertility and abundance.

Kaleağasıoğlu said, "Our visitors feel a deep sense of admiration when they stand before these statues."

INCREASE IN VISITOR NUMBERS

Kaleağasıoğlu noted that the museum has an increasing number of visitors each year. The museum, which was visited by 250,000 people in 2024, reached 21,000 visitors in the first three months of 2025, which represents a 15 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

Stating that the artifacts unearthed from the Ancient City of Ephesus are exhibited after documentation, restoration, and conservation processes, Kaleağasıoğlu emphasized that they work meticulously to pass the works in the museum on to future generations. Additionally, the museum will host a special exhibition titled "From Stone Axe to UAV" as part of the "100+2 Temporary Exhibitions in the 102nd Year" project.

News Source: 12punto