Fountains
& Water Systems
Water System was repaired in the period of
Mehmet II, and later repairs continued in the period of Süleyman I. A good number of dams
were built to meet water requirement of the city. An example of this is the Maglova Dam.
In Istanbul, there are many examples of
fountains as significant works of the Ottoman Architecture, there are more than four
hundred inscripted fountains on the Rumelian (European) side. When others added thereto,
figure rises to sevenhundred ninety- four. Some of these are adjacent to the walls of
buildings. The oldest example thereof are: Davutpaşa Fountain (1559-1560)Sahruh Fountain
in Fatih (15591560)-Karamustafa Pasha Fountain in Suleymaniye (1677-1678)Kazasker Esat
Efendi Fountain in Kabatas caused to be repaired by Selim III.
Fountains of the Tulip Period gain more delicate
appearances:
Ahmet III Fountain in Kagithane Fountains with
Baroque influence were observed at the end of the Tulip Period: * Sultan Zeynep Fountain
in Sirkeci The most monumental example of the Square Fountains are the fountains located
in the area in front of Topkapi Palace, and Ahmet III fountain in Uskudar. Tophane
Fountain of Mahmut I (1732) and German Fountain on Sultanahmet Square (1901 ) are foreign
style monuments. Examples of the Charity Fountains which are rarely rendered outside
Istanbul are Haci Ahmet Ağa Charity Fountain in Dolmabahçe (1644) and Koca Yusuf Pasha
Charity Fountain in Kabatas (1787).
Turkish Baths
 In every
complex in Istanbul, a bath was built. Most of these were of double-bath plan. The bath
within the Mahmutpaşa Complex (1466) attracts attentions with its octagonal planned hot
room. Beyazit bath is a monumental building remaining from the l6th century.
Important examples made by Architect Sinan are
Çemberlitaş and Haseki (Hagia
Sophia) baths. Architect Sinan has built 23 baths in the
city. Tiled Bath in Zeyrek, is noted for its tiles covering upper parts of walls with
colorful decorated marbles, and the water-tank. Latest large sized bath of the city is the
Cağaloğlu Bath near the underground cistern (1740). |
