Next to the bell tower is the most important find from Roman times, the Orpheus Monument (Orfejev spomenik): a marble stele over 5m high commemorating Marcus Valerius Verus, mayor of Poetovio in the 2nd century AD, later used as a pillory during the Middle Ages. The central relief shows scenes from the myth of Orpheus (hence its present name) playing the lyre while grieving for the loss of Eurydice. Other reliefs, very damaged, show the Greek-Egyptian god Serapis, in the corners a lion biting the head of a ram, and, in the tympanum, the moon goddess Selene.
In the Middle Ages it was actually used as a pillory. All those who were found guilty of a crime were chained to iron rings attached to holes in the lower half. The monument is located in front of the Civic Tower, on one of the main squares of the city.
