GATE OF HERAKLES, EPHESUS

Gate of Herakles

The Gate of Herakles once opened onto this street. The upper story of this two-storey structure contained six columns.

Two of these still stand in the area of the gate. Colonnaded galleries, the floors of which were decorated by mosaics, lined both sides of Kouretes Street.

Behind these were various shops. Statues once stood in front of the galleries.

As is common in Ephesus, the pavement in front of the buildings is inconsistent and uneven.

Reconstruction work after the various earthquakes was often carried out with whatever materials could be salvaged, and resulted in this motley appearance.