1,800 years later, a Hadrian-era fountain in Turkey flows again

After 1,800 years, the ancient Kestros Fountain in the historic city of Perge, located within the borders of the Aksu district in Antalya, Turkey, has resumed operation. The fountain, originally built during the reign of Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD, has been restored to its former glory, according to multiple reports in Turkish media.

"We started the water flow works at the Kestros Fountain in 2022, with the support and encouragement of our Provincial Culture Directorate and Antalya Museum. Thanks to the funds provided to us by our Ministry this year, the Kestros Fountain has finally reached its result and has regained its water after 1,800 years," said Dr. Aytaç Dönmez, Deputy Head of the Perge Ancient City Excavation.

The Kestros Fountain was originally fed by the Kestros River, now known as the Aksu stream, via an intricate 700-meter-long canal system that channels water from a luxurious pool. "The most important feature of the fountain is that the water flowing from the fountain's trough first collects in a pool. Then it flows southward from a canal approximately 700 meters long," explained Dr. Dönmez, according to CNN Türk. "We have succeeded in channeling the fountain in that direction."

"We are still taking the water from the same source as in that period," Dr. Dönmez added. .

"We plan to do the third phase restoration of the fountain with new architectural findings that we will uncover in the excavations and to exhibit this area entirely."

Perge, once the capital of the Pamphylia region, is known as one of the most organized Roman cities in Anatolia and is famous for its marble sculptures. The city has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2009.

Excavations at the site of Perge have been ongoing since 1946, initially led by Professor Arif Müfid Mansel and currently by Professor Şebnem Sedef Çokay Kepçe.

"Since 1946, excavation works have been carried out in the city, and in nearly 80 years of work, many parts of the city have been archaeologically uncovered," said Dr. Dönmez.

The Kestros Fountain is adorned with a reclining figure representing the ancient river god, Kestros. Its revival is expected to bring new vitality to Perge. "After 1,800 years, the water is flowing again. This has brought new vitality connected with water to Perge," Dr. Dönmez said.

Structures in the city center of Perge have been unearthed as part of ongoing excavation, repair, and restoration works, including towers, a theater, a stadium, baths, and colonnaded streets.

Habertürk, Anadolu, CNN, Star, and Haberler have reported on the renovation of the ancient fountain, along with other websites. 

This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq