Nymphaeum

A Nymphaeum (Greek Nymphaeum, latin Nymphaeum ) is a nymph sanctuary, usually built over a well or a spring. Most are nymphaeums semicircular building in column architecture, sometimes several floors. In Hellenistic and Roman antiquity, the term on the source and fountain houses was transferred as in a representative urban buildings with pools and multi-storey columns facades that were at the mouth of an artificial water pipe.

There are also nymphaeums in the form of natural or artificial caves. Nymphaea in the form of central buildings formed the basis of early Christian Baptisteries.

One of the most famous nymphaeums antiquity was commissioned by Annia Regilla in Olympia. It was next to the water supply of the Altis the glorification of Herod Atticus family, the husband of Annia Regilla.

In modern times, caves and nymphaeums an important part of the architecture of villas and gardens were. Notable examples are:

• The Nymphaeum of the Villa Barbaro by Andrea Palladio in the Veneto ( 1554 ).
• The Fontana di Trevi in ​​Rome ( 1732-62 ).
• In the early classicism built Friedrich Wilhelm von Erdmannsdorff 1767/68 in Woerlitzer park with the Grotto of Egeria, a Nymphaeum after. (now part of the Dessau -Wörlitz Garden Kingdom as a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Proof

Swell

• Encyclopedia of the Ancient World. 10 durchges. and ext. Ed VEB Bibliographic Institute Leipzig, Leipzig 1990. ISBN 3-323-00026-9