The Prytaneion
The Prytaneion
4
About
This municipal building housed an eternal flame which was the symbol of the city and from which everyone lit their home fireplaces. Members of the most elite families were chosen to hold the job of Prytan, or maintainer of the flame.
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4.0
84 reviews
Excellent
21
Very good
32
Average
30
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Helene S
Houston, TX1,954 contributions
Dec 2019
The Prytaneion was an important religious and government building in ancient Ephesus. Dedicated to the goddess of the hearth, Hestia, it contained the eternal flame of the city. The priests that tended to the fire made sure that it did not go out. The Prytaneion is also where official government and religious visitors were received in Ephesus.
Only two columns remain. Several of the columns and other building materials were taken by Scholastica in the 4th century to build her baths on Curettes Street.
Only two columns remain. Several of the columns and other building materials were taken by Scholastica in the 4th century to build her baths on Curettes Street.
Written 1 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zuv
Bucharest, Romania37,258 contributions
Aug 2020
Nothing impressive here. All that is left of the former building are two lonely columns and the story of the guide who tries to revive the greatness of the past.
Written 23 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
arpad_loboda
Subotica, Serbia278 contributions
Jul 2013 • Couples
Easy to miss among the many ruins in the area. Guides usually point it out and say a few words. Only a few columns and some statues remain.
Written 5 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Haytham Abu Firas
Qatar20,603 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
Huge columns and arches everywhere in the city makes its unique feature. It is a part of Ephesus tour - The Ancient City
Written 13 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Murray D
Saint John, Canada490 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
BNot a tour to miss if visiting Kusadasi. I'd be very disappointed if I didn't come to see this place which has a book of the bible written to the people here while Paul was detained in Rome. You can also read about events that took place in this ancient city in the book of acts. Chapter 18 and 19 both mention Ephesus.
This area is suppose to be the government buildings and there are others down the street further. Located near the beginning of the ruins and the walk through town. It isn't very strenuous walking through. It takes maybe 1.5 hours to slowly stroll along and read a few things but I'd suggest taking 3 hours as 1.5 hours would be cheating yourself from reading some of the many plaques along the way explaining the interest of each site.
Please be aware at the end they have shops with vendors selling fake stuff. It's OK to buy a trinket to remember the trip but the gemstones are fakes and so are the spices etc. Buyer beware.
As well they will ask if you want to stop and look at rugs or leather goods. The driver is getting a kick from any sales and you're best to walk around town back in Kusadasi yourself to get better prices. There are rugs in town as well. Beware you don't get cotton for silk as I couldn't tell the difference the cotton was so nice and soft.
There are lots of stray cats here and some people bring cat food to feed them.
This area is suppose to be the government buildings and there are others down the street further. Located near the beginning of the ruins and the walk through town. It isn't very strenuous walking through. It takes maybe 1.5 hours to slowly stroll along and read a few things but I'd suggest taking 3 hours as 1.5 hours would be cheating yourself from reading some of the many plaques along the way explaining the interest of each site.
Please be aware at the end they have shops with vendors selling fake stuff. It's OK to buy a trinket to remember the trip but the gemstones are fakes and so are the spices etc. Buyer beware.
As well they will ask if you want to stop and look at rugs or leather goods. The driver is getting a kick from any sales and you're best to walk around town back in Kusadasi yourself to get better prices. There are rugs in town as well. Beware you don't get cotton for silk as I couldn't tell the difference the cotton was so nice and soft.
There are lots of stray cats here and some people bring cat food to feed them.
Written 17 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jlantern3
Columbia, SC12,909 contributions
Jun 2016 • Family
very attractive ruins, a few pillars are standing and give a look of it's once glorious structure-stop and enjoy
Written 19 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharon G
Beeton, Canada143 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
Part of the Ephesus cruise excursion and the tour. The carving work is spectacular. There are lots of pieces on the ground to look at as well
Written 22 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA17,737 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
You probably need a guide to completely explain this part of the ruins. Some columns here and lots of scattered stones. The crowds never disappear until the end of the day.
Written 21 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol A S
Marietta, GA4,153 contributions
Apr 2019
The Prytaneion is about 100m east of the Gate of Herecles, and behind the basilica. It is a peaceful place, marked by stout columns on the side of a plaza. A sacred flame symbolizing the unity and vitality of the community was kept constantly alight in the Prytaneion. It was the seat of government: the site of religious ceremonies, official receptions and banquets. A four-cornered pit contained the sacred fire, and dates to the 3rd century B.C. reign of Lysimachos (ruler of Thrace, Asia Minor and Macedon; one of Alexander the Great's generals). However, the current ruins date to the Augustan age. The front of the building had four columns facing a courtyard surrounded by a portico. The ceremonial hall and its side rooms lay to the north. The eternal flame was in the center of the ceremonial hall, the red color on the floor marking the location of the flame. Towards the back was a large area with wooden roof; the base of an altar is still recognizable today. The double columns on the corners of the hall supported a wooden roof. Archaeologists uncovered two statues of Artemis during excavations (on display in the Ephesus museum in Selcuk.). The Prytaneion is one of many ruins in Ephesus which is a UNESCO World heritage Site. The ruins are popular, so visiting early or late in the day helps avoid crowds. Sturdy shoes, water and a hat are recommended, as walking surfaces are uneven, and there is little shade. The Ephesus site is open Apr-Oct: 8am-7.30pm, and closes at 5.30pm Nov-Mar. There is an entry fee of ₺60 for adults; children are free. Parking is 10₺.
Written 30 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
digitalroc
Calgary, Canada2,141 contributions
May 2019 • Friends
The Prytaneion was built in the third century BC and used for religious ceremonies and official receptions. There are a few pillars that remain, you would need a guide to understand what you are viewing. Archeologists found 2 statues which are in the Ephesus Museum in Selcuk.
Written 9 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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