At the top of Sahat Tepe, in Plovdiv, the only water clock in Bulgaria is once again measuring time - a clepsydra, restored according to an ancient Roman model. This facility not only revives the ancient tradition of measuring time, but also brings back to life part of the history of Philippopolis.
The clepsydra, or water clock, is one of the oldest devices for measuring time, using a constant flow of water to measure intervals. The restored clepsydra of Sahat Tepe is the work of master foundry Viktor Limonov, the eighth generation in the craft. The facility is made using authentic Roman technology and includes a mechanism in which a small statue of an angel shows the hour and minutes by moving through the water flow.
The history of the water clock of Sahat Tepe dates back to the 2nd century AD. According to researcher Dimitar Raichev, the original clepsydra was located on the north side of the Drama Theater, in the courtyard of Georgi Dishliev's house. Its remains were discovered in 1906 during excavations in the area.
The restored clepsydra is not only a symbol of Plovdiv's historical heritage, but also a rare facility on a global scale. Similar water clocks were built in ancient times in Athens, Rome and Alexandria, but today they are extremely rare. This restoration is unique both for Bulgaria and for Europe.
A sundial is planned to be built near the newly built clepsydra, which will complement the historical atmosphere of Sahat Tepe. These initiatives are part of the efforts to enrich cultural tourism in Plovdiv and revive the historical traditions of the city.
With the restoration of the clepsydra, Plovdiv not only preserves its historical heritage, but also offers its residents and visitors a unique experience that combines science, art and history.
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