Kestros Fountain in Perge starts flowing after 1,800 years

The Kestros Fountain, believed to have been built by Roman Emperor Hadrian in the second century, has started flowing once again in the ancient city of Perge in the southern province of Antalya.

The Kestros Fountain, one of the important structures of Perge, has met with water again after nearly 1,800 years. During a trial conducted in 2022, observations were made regarding the current condition of the fountain, which differs from other fountain structures in the ancient city.

Located 17 kilometers east of Antalya in the Pamphylia region within the borders of Aksu district, Perge was once the capital of the region. Excavation works, initiated by Professor Arif Müfid Mansel in 1946, and later led by Professor Jale İnan, Professor Haluk Abbbasoğlu and currently under the leadership of Professor Şebnem Sedef Çokay Kepçe, continue to this day.

Founded during the Bronze Age and considered one of the wealthiest and most beautiful cities during the Hellenistic period, Perge is listed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Temporary List. After hundreds of years, the Kestros Fountain, the city's most impressive historical landmark, is once again flowing with water.

Academic Aytaç Dönmez, deputy excavation director of Perge, provided information about the studies carried out at Kestros Fountain since the time of Perge's first excavation president, Mansel, when the goal was to restore the fountain's water flow.

"We first conducted a trial to release water in the Kestros Fountain in 2022. We examined how the water would flow and where the leaks might occur. As a result, we concluded that the flow of water would not cause any problems, and the project could be implemented. From 2022 until now, with the support of the Culture and Tourism's...