Rione X Campitelli in Roma in Città metropolitana di Roma Capitale, Latium, Rome, Italy — Central Italy (Tyrrhenian Coast)

Ninfeo degli Specchi / Nymphaeum of the Mirrors

Photographed By James Hulse, June 14, 2023

1. Ninfeo degli Specchi / Nymphaeum of the Mirrors Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Dal giardino degli Orti Farnesiani, esteso sul basamento della domus Tiberiana, si scendeva tramite scale e rampe verso il cd. clivo Palatino e i giardini rivolti al Colosseo. Su questo lato si conservano i resti di un ninfeo semicircolare ricavato ad imitazione di una grotta a ridosso delle murature antiche. Nel muro del ninfeo si aprono nicchie che ospitavano statue di Satiri che sorreggevano specchi, da cui il nome del ninfeo. Dalla cima della volta, ora perduta, incrostata di pietre colorate e smalti, scaturiva una pioggia d'acqua, che zampillava anche alla base delle nicchie e fuoriusciva a sorpresa da piccoli fori nel pavimento antistante il ninfeo, anch'esso a mosaico di pietre colorate.

English:
From the garden of the Horti Farnesiani, covering the foundations of the Domus Tiberiana, a series of stairs and ramps led down towards the so-called Clivus Palatinus and the gardens facing the Colosseum. On this side of the hill are the remains of a semi-circular nymphaeum built in imitation of a grotto up against the ancient walls. Opening into the wall of the nymphaeum are niches

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which hosted statues of Satyrs holding up mirrors, which gave the nymphaeum its name. Water fell like rain from the top of the vault, now lost, encrusted with coloured stones and enamels; water also gushed up at the base of the niches and, unexpectedly, from little holes in the floor in front of the nymphaeum, also made of a mosaic of coloured stones.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Architecture.

Location. 41° 53.386′ N, 12° 29.214′ E. Marker is in Roma, Lazio (Latium, Rome), in Città metropolitana di Roma Capitale. It is in Rione X Campitelli. Marker is at the intersection of Via Sacra and Via Nova on Via Sacra. The marker is located south of the Arch of Titus in the park near Palatine Hill. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Roma, Lazio 00186, Italy. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Neronian Cryptoporticus / Criptoportico Neroniano (within shouting distance of this marker); Le case aristocratiche del Palatino / The Aristocratic Houses of the Palatine Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); I colori dell'abitare / The colours of dwelling (within shouting distance of this marker); Palatino: Il Giardino dei Farnese / The Palatin Hills: the Farnese Garden (within shouting distance of this marker);

The view of the Nymphaeum of the Mirrors and Marker along the walkway image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, June 14, 2023

2. The view of the Nymphaeum of the Mirrors and Marker along the walkway

Basamento di un Tempio / Platform of a Temple (within shouting distance of this marker); Dal collezionismo all'archeologia / From collecting to archaeology (within shouting distance of this marker); I giardini del XIX secolo / The gardens of the 19th century (within shouting distance of this marker); Domus Flavia. So-called Basilica / Cd. Basilica (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Roma.

More about this marker. The marker is located in the Parco Archeologico del Colosseo (Roman Forum Archaeological Park) and it does require an entry fee to visit.

Also see . . . Parco Archeologico del Colosseo. Roma Turismo

Parco Archeologico del Colosseo includes the extraordinary ancient complexes forming part of the central archaeological area, namely Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine.

(Submitted on July 30, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The Nymphaeum of the Mirrors fountain and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, June 14, 2023

3. The Nymphaeum of the Mirrors fountain and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 72 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 30, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.