Orpheus Monument

This marble monument was erected to honor the memory of Marcus Valerius Verus, who was the mayor of Poetovio (Ptuj) in the 2nd century AD. The five-meter tall monolith is still standing where it was raised by the Romans. In the middle ages the monument, ornamented with scenes from the myth of Orpheus, was used as a pillory. The central relief depicts Orpheus grieving for Eurydice and playing the lyre, which is why the tombstone is known as the Orpheus monument. In the Middle Ages, the monument was used as a pillory – pranger.