The Largest Roman-Era Water Temple Discovered in Perperikon

In 2017, archaeologists from the team of Prof. Nikolay Ovcharov came across a unique reservoir for drinking water cut into the rocks in the South Quarter. It is similar to the spectacular cistern in the Acropolis of the Rock City, which collected more than half a million liters of water. Then, due to lack of funds, the surveys could not be completed, but now it is being done during the major European conservation and restoration project. It can now be firmly said that it is not just a huge water cistern, but also a Roman-era temple dedicated to water (nympheum). In terms of size, this is the largest similar cult facility in the Rhodopes.

The temple dates back to the II-III century AD and shows the incredible skills of the ancient builders. It is located at the entrance of the Southern Quarter, from where the main road to Perperikon passed, which led from the city to the famous road along the Aegean coast, the Via Egnatia, which led from Rome to Constantinople.

On three sides, the spectacular cistern was carved into the rocks, and on the north, a massive wall of square blocks was built. A representative fountain with bronze spouts in the form of animal heads was formed on the front, and there was probably also a fountain. Above the reservoir there was a second floor, where the actual temple was located, where the water deities – the nymphs – were worshipped.

All these details were located in a common architectural complex with colonnades and rich decoration of profiled cornices. Remarkable is the complex system of channels carved with incredible precision into the rock. Drainage took place through a main drainage channel carved with incredible skill by stonemasons. It is on two levels and is covered with solid stone slabs. There is a whole system of smaller canals, overflows and culverts attached to it.

In ancient times, nymphaeums were small sanctuaries dedicated to water nymphs. They were usually built near springs or reservoirs for drinking water. In ancient Greece, the sanctuaries of the nymphs were located in caves in the woods. In the Hellenistic era, small buildings above the water sources themselves were dedicated to these deities. Already in Roman cities, nymphaeums often became real massive temples above the water cisterns in which drinking water was collected for the population.

Sometimes they were richly decorated with columns and statues and rose several stories above the tanks.
It is of this type that the water temple discovered at Perperikon is. It is part of a whole series of cultic pagan monuments from the Roman period that have been discovered in recent years in the Southern Quarter of the city. Among them are the Temple of the Trician Horseman, the Temple of the Eastern God Mithras, the Temple of Wine, of the Ancestors, etc.

The archaeological research of the 2023 season continues almost until the middle of September, and new and important surprises are expected.

2023-08-17 23:19:08


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