Curetes Street, Ephesus
Curetes Street, where processions in honor of Artemis were once held.
Photo © Helen Betts.
Curetes Street, with Slope Houses on the left, Baths of Scholastica
on the right and Library of Celsus ahead. Photo
Carmen.
View from the top, looking toward the library. Photo
Adam Franco.
Bottom of Curetes Street from Library of Celsus. Photo © Andrys Basten.
Crowds on Curetes Street in July. Photo
Cliff Lusk.
Famous footprint marking the way to the brothel. Photo © Andrys Basten.
Curetes Street (known as the Embolos in Late Antiquity) is the diagonal street in Ephesus that runs from the State Agora, past the Slope Houses, to the Library of Celsus. Once lined with shops, workshops and inns, Curetes Street was both a main city street and an important processional route in the cult of Artemis.
History
Curetes Street originates in Hellenistic times, yet dramatically departs from the Hippodamian city grid plan that was popular at the time. Instead of running perpendicular to other streets, it cuts diagonally across the grid system.
This unusual angle is due partly to the topographic limitations of the area (i.e. Mount Pion), but it also follows the archaic Processional Way, an important sacred route leading to the Temple of Artemis.
In Byzantine times, the road was known as the Embolos, meaning "beak" or "wedge." Archaeologists named it Curetes Street for an inscription that was found here naming the Curetes, or priests of Artemis.
After an earthquake in the 4th century, many of the columns lining the street were replaced with those from other buildings in the city.
What to See
In ancient times, Curetes Street would have been partially lined with shops, trade offices, inns and artisans' workshops. Remains of such structures are preserved on the south (left) side of the Octagon (or Heroon of Arsinoe IV) at the top of Curetes Street.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Curetes Street; Curetes Way; Street of the Curretes; Embolos |
| Type of site: | Hellenistic road |
| Dates: | 2nd century BC |
| Size: | 11m wide |
| Location: | Between the Hercules Gate (near State Agora) and the Library of Celsus; flanked by the Slope Houses, and Baths of Scholastica. |
Article Sources
- Hilke Thür, "The Processional Way in Ephesos as a Place of Cult and Burial." Helmut Koester, ed., Ephesos: Metropolis of Asia (Harvard University Press, 1995), 158-59.
- Clive Foss, Ephesus After Antiquity (1979), 65-69.
More Information
- Curetes Street - TripAdvisor
- Curetes Street - Ephesus.us
- Curetes Street - Kusadasi.biz
Travel Resources
- Ephesus Map - our detailed interactive map plus links to more
- Ephesus Guided Tours - sightseeing tours and day trips
- Kusadasi Hostels - search and book budget lodgings in nearby Kusadasi
- Kusadasi Hotel Reviews - unbiased reviews from fellow travelers
- Car Rentals (from Kusadasi) - explore Turkey with your own car
- Ephesus Travel Forum - tips, answers and advice on Ephesus tourism
Sponsored Links
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of Curetes Street. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Ephesus Map or get our free Google Earth download.
