Temple and Fountain at Zagwhan

  • About the work
    Location
    Country: Tunisia
    City: Tunis
    Place: British Embassy
    This engraving is a panoramic view of a significant  archeological site in Zaghouan, currently known as The Water Temple. Situated on the northern side of the Tunisian Dorsal mountains, the temple is best known for its rich springs and semi-circular fountain  erected under the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 128AD. The importance of water in the history of Zaghouan is best illus­trated by its Aqueduct, which was built to facilitate the transport of water from Zaghouan to Carthage after a drought of five years in North Africa. Extending over 132km, the aque­duct is a masterpiece of architecture and is one of the longest constructed during Roman times. The Water Temple’s ancient fountain is surrounded by arched niches that once held 12 statues depicting the months of the year. In the rocks behind the temple, the method of excavating these huge blocks can still be seen in some of the cracked stones. This engraving is part of Sir Grenville Temple’s ‘Travels in Greece and Turkey and the Mediterranean’ published in two volumes in 1843.
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  • Details
    Title
    Temple and Fountain at Zagwhan
    Date
    1843
    Medium
    Coloured engraving
    Dimensions
    height: 20.80 cm, width: 27.00 cm
    Acquisition
    Origin uncertain
    Provenance
    Map House, London; Foreign & Commonwealth Office (British Embassy, Tunis)
    GAC number
    17668