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The historical tradition of the use of water in Turkey is shown from the point of view of large infrastructures as well as from the social, artistic, political and mythological points of view. “Fountains” in this context bring us, above all, to “WATER” as the “SOURCE” of “HUMAN LIFE” in the economic, political, and cultural senses, as well as through customs and traditions.
This exhibition area has been designed to show all the dimensions of “human life” which directly or indirectly use water. We apply the “fountain” concept as a reference for the architectural fountains which have become an iconic symbol of the use of water since they take place almost everywhere in Turkey.
Almost all of the content in this exhibition area is within the “anthropologic location”.
In other words, it is a location which shelters the “life that creates itself”. The “life that creates itself” is the total of the methods used by the human being in his/her relations with nature. These are the infrastructural builders and users in agriculture, technology and water management. Similarly, it is the total of the relationships established by the people among themselves (social, politic, linguistic or economic).
Thus, a very extensive item spectrum is displayed regarding the use of water. All of these deserve to be exhibited in this area and can be summarized as follows:
- Infrastructure and works of art used to carry the water to Istanbul, which has successively been the capital of three empires: sewerages, waterways, depots, cisterns, tankers, tunnels, deltas, breakwaters, etc. Turkey has historical traditions dating back many years concerning the use of water. For example, with the reforms made during the Roman period or the reign of the Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, a water affairs unit was set up to meet the water demand in Istanbul. Similarly, the huge monuments realized by Suleyman the Magnificent in the mid-16th century still exist. In addition to many fountains, Suleyman the Magnificent also ordered the construction of monumental waterways such as Kovukkemer, Pasa Kemeri, Uzunkemer, Maglova Aqueduct, Güzelce Aqueduct, etc.
- Classic Roman or Turkish irrigation systems changed the fate of the ornamental plants and the fragrant plants as well as the cereals. They also made them bloom. For example, the first shallot that went to the Netherlands was a gift from Suleyman the Magnificent.
- In line with the policy of Suleyman the Magnificent, more than 40 fountains were constructed in Istanbul. We see the splendid examples of these fountains constituting the real center of Turkish social life used in different ways: drinking water, daily use at home, laundry, or even for the pleasure of the senses. In addition to decorating the gardens, squares, streets and yards, fountains were used as a gathering place for private and secret talks away from curious listeners.
- Water has also inspired poetry, fine arts, literature, music, myths and folk stories.
Turkish Baths – This is a wonderful and unique tradition which has also become more widespread in the form of spas. The importance attached by the Turkish people to personal cleaning has led to the existence of Turkish Baths or Public Baths in every city since the Middle Ages.
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Exhibition Displays
After seeing these water scenes, we enter a completely different atmosphere. It is almost a mystic place. Shadows are reflected by the projector onto the ground in a crepuscular light. These are the reflections of the light which passes through the filter formed by the motifs selected from the Ottoman and Seljuk decorative arts which hang from the ceiling. The light is given from a few spots in motion. We see that this light filtered from the geometric and herbal cages on the ground draw a Milky Way. This set of stars (constellation) demonstrates the way to be followed by visitors to the location.
The Fountains Being Exhibited
1) Fountain of Rumeli Hisari
This early fountain was constructed in the Ottoman period of Istanbul, which is an intersection of civilizations dating back before the conquest (1453).
The Fountain of Rumeli Hisari, which was constructed in the 15th century by Sultan Mehmet II, the Conqueror, has turned its face to the sea, and is looking at the Istanbul Bosphorus connecting two continents and their cultures. It reclines its back against high walls screening the whole majesty of the past while greeting the present and the future, its face illuminated by vehicles’ headlamps of rapidly flowing modern traffic.
2) A Selsebil
Traditional structures with ornamental ponds arranged so that water fills small raised basins in steps by overflowing from one into another, and then into a lower and larger one where water is collected and drained away, are called Selsebils.
They were constructed in yards, parks and gardens as ornamental items. They are still sightly structures with their ornamental properties. Light splashing sounds rising from the flowing water give an almost musical pleasure to the ears and relax the senses.
3) Fountain of Ahmet III
The 18th century has become the golden age for Istanbul fountains. Hundreds of fountains were constructed in many corners of Istanbul during the reigns of Ahmet III (1703-1730) and Mahmut I (1730-1754). Impressions of the Baroque and Rococo styles began appearing, and this also affected fountains, replacing the more classical style. Fountains’ appearances were ornamented by reliefs such as fruit in a plate and flowers in a vase, and motifs such as shells and leaves of Akantus.
This arena fountain in Sadabad, made by order of Ahmet III, has two faces. It was constructed in the period when the classical style was still the most influential. This structure, which is one of the symbolic fountains of the Tulip Age, became a source of inspiration for poets during Sadabat Festivals of that time, and witnessed heroic entertainments. Two small fountains near the main one are Selsebils as well. Water coming through the holes and overflowing herringbone motifs on the face creates a lovely background of music for the tales and emotions of the arenas.
4) Fountain of Hekimoglu Ali Pasha
Variations in the locations of the 18th century’s fountains were taking place, and arena fountains appeared which had not existed previously. The arenas were decorated with such fountains under the influence of the Renaissance and Baroque architectures in Istanbul during this period.
The fountain made by order of Hekimoglu Ali Pasha in 1732 is an arena fountain with four faces and a large reservoir. An epigraph with three verses of Seyyid Vehbi indicating the year of 1732 is on one face, which looks at the sea. Another epigraph with the same date and six verses of poet Mahmud Efendi is on another face, which looks at the street. Two of its corners are decorated with reliefs of flowers and various ornaments whilst the other two corners are not. The administrators in that century were enthusiastic about the creation of a city with an acceptable European appearance as well as one that met the water needs of Istanbul’s people. The fountain of Hekimoglu Ali Pasha with glorious its appearance, which is the symbol of the European dream from the past, meets today the daily ships passing from the Anatolian side to the European side.
5) Fountain of Bâlâ Tekkesi
The 19th century fountains of Istanbul use their monumental character to reflect the ideology of Tanzimat (reorganization), which was firmly fixed in its desire to empower the state.
No trace of the classical style remained in that period. Tugras (sultans’ signatures) in oval frames began to appear, and fountains were constructed in the Empire style.
The Bâlâ Tekkesi in Silivrikapi is a wall fountain with a single face situated in the middle of Sebils. It was made by order of Sheikh Mehmed Saadeddin Efendi and Sheikh Said Ali Efendi. It is in the Empire style, made of Marmara marbles.
6) Fountain of Erenköy Station
This fountain was made in 1921 in memory of the children Tahir and Fatma by their mother, whose name is unknown. It is situated under the shadows of modern and monotonous buildings, reflecting the diversity and contradiction which is Istanbul.
The ayet (verse of the Koran) about water, which is situated in a round frame in the kitabe (legend) on the fountain, was written by a famous hattat (penman, calligrapher) of that period, Ismail Hakki Altunbezer.
This wall fountain, which is an expression of motherly love with water, has an eclectic structure holding together its different styles.
7) Fountain of Lahana
Çengelköy, a colorful locale far from the metropolitan confusion of Istanbul, awakes to a new day with the sun rising over the sea, its century-old plain tree, and the frequent visitors to its arena café. An unusual historical structure exists in the middle of this quiet life. It is the Cabbage Fountain in front of the Çengelköy Police Station. Its structure is in the shape of a lahana (cabbage).
The 19th century is described by the word Tanzimat. It began with Islahat (reformation) during the period of Selim III, during which the State of Ottoman was almost re-established and organized. One of the early fountains of that period was the column fountain. Elements such as stylized flowers, tulips, and cabbages were used in these column fountains.
Two sports teams were founded during the period of Sultan Mehmet I to develop cündilik (horsemanship). One of these teams was called “lahanacilar” (cabbage-men) and the other was called “bamyacilar” (okra-men) because of the famous products of Merzifon and of Amasya, respectively.
8) Fountain of Hamidiye
The influences of Western architecture are seen in the 20th century. This fountain, located in the garden of Galatasaray High School which provides French education, overlaps exactly with the modern structure of the school building. This arena fountain with a single face of casting iron has brought an understanding of another type of gracefulness, as have other fountains made during this period from different materials than those used previously.
This fountain was made by order of Sultan Abdülhamid II in 1906, under the project title “Fountains of Hamidiye”. These cast-iron fountains have created a long bridge that extends into modern times, whilst others were made with the indispensable material of marble.
Healing with water / water treatments to cure:
http://www.trakya.edu.tr/kulliye_ing/
http://www.anadol.com/asclepion.htm |
