Böcek Ayazma (Spring-Baptisterium)
Böcek Ayazma (Spring-Baptisterium)
It was narrated by the travelers and voyagers that visited the city that religious ceremony was held towards the end of the 19th century, in the area which is below the road elevation today and which can be accessed through a concrete stair. The structure that was used as a spring until 1921 has a square form external appearance. The walls of the interior of the structure which is surrounded by a dome are made of rubblework and bricks, while the dome, arches and entrance pediment are made of bricks.
In the structure, there are one angular niche and also three arched niches. On the walls of the structure, there are partially spolia materials dated back to the Early Byzantium Period. In the middle of the structure, there is a pool in the sizes of 1.10 x 1.00 meters. On the Hebrew inscription in this part of the structure dated back to the 2nd century AD, there is a statement of ‘‘Each body gives what is good because its grace is eternal’’, and the menorah (seven-branched candelabrum) figure. Also, there is a Greek inscription used as spolia material in this area, which says the Tower of His Highness Christian Emperor and King Michael. The researchers consider that the structure dates back to the 6th century.