The Canopus, one of the main attractions of Hadrian's Villa, is a long pond surrounded by a splendid colonnade. At the bottom end stands a nymphaeum that is recognizably a temple of Serapis (Serapeum). It consists of a semicircular exedra with a ribbed cupola, extended by a long vaulted corridor. This ensemble, which is decorated with fountains and statues, was for a long time believed to be an evocation of the Egyptian town of Canopus, linked to Alexandria by a canal from the Nile and famous for its Temple of Serapis. A more recent interpretation gives it another meaning: the pond is not the canal but the Mediterranean, which explains the presence of Greece (symbolized by copies of the caryatids from the Erechtheion in Athens) and of Asia (represented by copies of two Amazons by Phidias that adorned the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus and a copy of Praxiteles' renowned Venus of Cnidus).

(Translated by Google) Probably the most famous place in Villa Adriana, thanks to the popular "swimming pool" surrounded by what remains of a colonnade, statues representing Ares, Hermes and Athena, two silenes, the two amazons of Phidias and Polykleitos, a cipollino crocodile and the Venus of Cnidio and the 4 caryatids (copy of those of the Euripus of Athens) which probably once supported the upper roof. (Original) Probabilmente il posto più famoso di Villa Adriana, grazie alla popolare "piscina" circondata da quel che resta di un colonnato, statue rappresentanti Ares, Ermete e Atena, due sileni, le due amazzoni di Fidia e Policleto, un coccodrillo cipollino e la Venere di Cnidio e le 4 cariatidi (copia di quelle dell'Euripo di Atene) che probabilmente un tempo reggevano il tetto superiore.

It was not filled with water, machinery was everywhere, and the circular route around the Canopus was closed off.

A very nice place to spend the day taking in history from 2,000 years ago. The audio guide was very good at providing information at stops along the way.

As you walk along this beautiful pool it seems like you have stepped into history.

Wonderful architectural ensemble, where Mother Nature joins and offers our eyes with extreme beauty. For a long time, the real reason for the construction of this place has been asked, which constitutes a personal tribute by Emperor Hadrian to his Favorite Pupil Antínoo. This tank that unites the Latin and Egyptian cultures, represents the Miditerranean Sea that from Rome leads to Egypt, and the small tank that comes to connect to the big tank, represents the Nile Delta. A must visit for lovers of ancient history.

Incredible place!

Very quiet place

Wonderful!

Cel mai cunoscut și fotografiat loc din Villa Adriana

(Translated by Google) A must see (Original) Da vedere assolutamente

The central and best known part of the villa, truly amazing. You need to come early in the day to see this in the good light and without too many people around it .

Il Canopo è senz’altro uno dei luoghi più accattivanti della Villa. Anche in questo caso si tratta di un’immensa piscina circondata da statue marmoree rappresentanti Ares, Ermete e Atena, due sileni, le due amazzoni di Fidia e Policleto. Si deve a Pirro Ligorio, famoso architetto napoletano al servizio del cardinale Ippolito d’Este, il riconoscimento del Canopo menzionato nella biografia di Adriano (Vita Hadriani) nella “valle longhissima” di fronte all’articolato padiglione absidato con giochi d’acqua, che egli definì tempio del dio Canopo o Nettuno. L’identificazione di questa zona della villa con il canale egizio che congiungeva l’omonima città di Canopo (sede di un celebre tempio dedicato a Serapide) con Alessandria, sul delta del Nilo è ampiamente documentata dalla letteratura archeologica.