Trajan Fountain, Ephesus
The Trajan Fountain is a grand example of Roman civic architecture and imperial propaganda. Constructed in the early 2nd century AD, it stood in honor of Emperor Trajan, who ruled from AD 98 to 117. The fountain was built at the north end of Curetes Street, near the Temple of Hadrian, and was once adorned with a colossal statue of the emperor. Trajan was depicted grasping a pennant and standing dominantly atop a globe, a symbol of his military conquests. An inscription at the base boldly declared, 鈥淚 have conquered it all, and it鈥檚 now under my foot.鈥� Today, only the globe and one foot of the statue survive.
This fountain was among the most splendid in Ephesus, featuring two ornamental pools. The upper pool, surrounded by elegant Corinthian columns, held the central statue of Trajan. Water would cascade from the pedestal beneath the statue, flowing gracefully down into a lower, narrower pool bordered by Composite columns. This engineering not only provided fresh water to the public but also helped wash down the marble paving of Curetes Street, a testament to Roman ingenuity.
The lower pool was once adorned with a variety of statues representing mythology and local history. These included depictions of Aphrodite, Dionysos both clothed and nude, the founder of Ephesus Androklos as a young hunter, as well as statues of Emperor Nerva鈥檚 family and a playful satyr. Though these artworks no longer decorate the site, they have been preserved and relocated to the Archaeological Museum of Ephesus for safekeeping and display.
Originally spanning 20 meters in length and 10 meters in width, the fountain was a striking landmark in its time. Today, it has been reconstructed on a smaller scale, and restoration efforts continue.
This fountain was among the most splendid in Ephesus, featuring two ornamental pools. The upper pool, surrounded by elegant Corinthian columns, held the central statue of Trajan. Water would cascade from the pedestal beneath the statue, flowing gracefully down into a lower, narrower pool bordered by Composite columns. This engineering not only provided fresh water to the public but also helped wash down the marble paving of Curetes Street, a testament to Roman ingenuity.
The lower pool was once adorned with a variety of statues representing mythology and local history. These included depictions of Aphrodite, Dionysos both clothed and nude, the founder of Ephesus Androklos as a young hunter, as well as statues of Emperor Nerva鈥檚 family and a playful satyr. Though these artworks no longer decorate the site, they have been preserved and relocated to the Archaeological Museum of Ephesus for safekeeping and display.
Originally spanning 20 meters in length and 10 meters in width, the fountain was a striking landmark in its time. Today, it has been reconstructed on a smaller scale, and restoration efforts continue.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Ephesus. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 黑料吃瓜网 App
Trajan Fountain on Map
Sight Name: Trajan Fountain
Sight Location: Ephesus, Turkey (See walking tours in Ephesus)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Ephesus, Turkey (See walking tours in Ephesus)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Ephesus, Turkey
Create Your Own Walk in Ephesus
Creating your own self-guided walk in Ephesus is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Ephesus Introduction Walking Tour
Ephesus, the most important Greek city in Ionian Asia Minor, the ruins of which lie near the modern village of Sel茍uk in western Turkey. Ephesus is one of the largest and most impressive ancient cities in the world and is one of T眉rkiye鈥檚 most significant ancient cities. Its cultural and historical significance was highlighted in its addition to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 2015. The... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Selcuk Introduction Walking Tour
Sel莽uk is a town near Izmir, in western Turkey. It鈥檚 the gateway to Ephesus, a vast, ancient city with the remains of a large theater and the Library of Celsus. South is the House of Virgin Mary, a domed chapel and religious shrine. Near Sel莽uk, a marble column is one of a few remains of the Temple of Artemis. The Ephesus Museum has more items from the temple, plus other artifacts excavated... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles