Nymphaeum Traiani, Monumental fountain in ancient Ephesus, Turkey.
The Nymphaeum Traiani is a monumental fountain structure that once supplied water to the inhabitants of ancient Ephesus through an aqueduct system. It featured a rectangular basin with a three-sided facade adorned with sculptural elements and architectural detailing.
This fountain complex was built between 102 and 114 AD during Emperor Trajan's reign when the city was expanding its public infrastructure. Excavations in 1957 uncovered the structure and revealed its original grandeur to modern archaeologists.
The fountain displays statues of gods and goddesses in decorative niches, reflecting how wealth and power were expressed through public monuments in ancient times. These sculptures show what mattered to the prosperous citizens who inhabited the city and how they chose to beautify shared spaces.
The site is located along Curetes Street within the excavation area and remains open year-round for visitors. Wear sturdy footwear since you will walk on uneven ancient stonework and the surrounding ground can be rough.
An inscription on the architrave reveals that wealthy citizens Tiberius Claudius Aristion and his wife Iulia Lydia Laterane funded this fountain as a gift to the goddess Artemis and Emperor Trajan. This reveals how private donations shaped the appearance of ancient cities.
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