Urban Memory Museum, Ephesus

The Selçuk Ephesus Urban Memory Museum offers a unique window into the layered history of Selçuk and its surrounding region, including the ancient city of Ephesus. Housed in one of Selçuk’s oldest buildings, this museum occupies a late 19th-century structure originally built by a British tobacco company. The building’s origins are tied to global events-the American Civil War had disrupted tobacco supplies, prompting British interests to establish operations in the region. Today, the restored structure tells a different story, serving as a repository of the town’s collective memory.

Inside, visitors can follow a historical timeline that traces the development of Selçuk from its earliest days of settlement to the present. Although the timeline is currently only available in Turkish, the exhibits are rich in photographs, artifacts, and visual displays that transcend language. These exhibits offer insight into daily life, local traditions, and key moments in the area’s social and cultural evolution. It is an ideal place for those who want to understand how modern Selçuk has grown in the shadow of the great city of Ephesus.

The museum blends traditional artifacts with modern curatorial techniques, providing a multi-sensory experience that engages both casual visitors and history enthusiasts. Through its displays, guests can learn about everything from agricultural practices to urban development, and from religious transformations to the impact of tourism in recent decades. Though compact in size, the museum offers a deep, meaningful look at the urban and human heritage of the region.