Many of the famous creations of ancient sculptors and unique monuments of architecture in Side have survived to this day. The rich historical heritage is carefully protected by the Turkish government. One of these monuments One of these monuments is the Great Monumental Fountain of Nympheum, built, like the Central Gate of the city, in honour of Emperor Vespasian and his son Titus. The structure is believed to have been created in the second century.
The Nympheum, as the fountain is otherwise known, is located in the north-east of the city behind the fortress walls, just opposite the Great Gate. The fountain is the first structure seen by a traveller entering the old part of the city through the Central Gate, so great attention was paid to the aesthetic aspect of the fountain's construction. At the base of the fountain is a large pool into which into which the water of the nearby Manavgat River flowed through an aqueduct.
Today, only two floors of the monument can be seen, but it is assumed that the fountain was three storeys high and its height and width reached 5 and 35 metres respectively. In ancient times, the Fountain of Nympheum was a very impressive structure. Marble niches were used in the architecture of the fountain, and in each of them, water streams shimmering in the sun. The design of the monument was complemented by with Corinthian columns and exquisite statues. The water for this extraordinarily beautiful was supplied by the city's old aqueduct.
On the outside, the fountain was lined with marble and decorated with original frescoes. The Side Museum still keeps many interesting statues and elements of the of the monumental fountain.
Despite the impact of time, the construction brings to us the spirit of the time and It is not difficult to imagine how it looked many years ago. The charm of antiquity and the majesty of the Neipheum will delight even the most sophisticated traveller.
