Water to run down from ancient Turkish fountain after 1300 years

Istanbul, July 26 : Water will run down from the Antonine Nymphaeum, a monumental fountain located on the north of the ancient city of Sagalassos in Turkey, after some 1300 years.

Sagalassos is an archaeological site in southwestern Turkey. In Roman Imperial times, the town was known as the 'first city of Pisidia'.

Restoration works on the city's fountain, dated to the reign of Marcus Aurelius (A.D. 161-180), were expected to finish in 2010.

According to Semih Ercan, who heads the restoration works, the fountain with a height of 10 meters and width of 30 meters, is one of the most splendid structures in the ancient city.

It was rebuilt after the massive earthquake in the early sixth century CE. But the second quake around the middle of the seventh century destroyed the monumental fountain together with the whole city, he added.

Remains of the fountain was first brought to light by Professor Dr. Marc Waelkens of the Belgian Katholieke Universiteit Leuven.

"We are restoring the fountain by joining together some 3,500 broken pieces. Restoration works will end in 2010 and water will run down from the ancient fountain again after some 1300 years," said Ercan.

ANI