Fountain

Domestic fountain replicating a nymphaeum; from the residential area of Tarraco destroyed during the building of the modern port of Tarragona.
The water entered through the lower part to the central cylindrical vessel from where it flowed to the upper basin. From there the water flowed to the lower basin across shells, steps and the “rytha” with animal heads held in the hands of children. Only half of it is preserved.
This fountain corresponds to a type widely found in the Roman world. It is a scale reproduction of the large nymphaea. There are several variations that mainly differ in the typology of the decorative elements. These fountains mainly decorated the peristyles and gardens of “domus” and “villae”.

Inventory number: MNAT 375