The Beyoglu Fountains from the Era of Sultan Mahmud II

Abstract

Water has been valuable for the continuity of humankind in every period from the past to the present. With factors such as technological developments in the architectural field such as aqueducts, waterways, fountains, and cisterns, water has been moved away from its source, and this has played a very important role in establishing new settlements. As one of the small-scale structures of Turkish-Islamic architecture, fountains have been built for the purposes of both charity and for satisfying needs. In this respect, fountains are important in terms of reflecting the cultural and aesthetic understanding of a period. Water shortages had arisen in Beyoglu due to its growing population. For this reason, fountain constructions in Beyoglu were carried out during the reign of Sultan Mahmud II both to satisfy needs and to reflect the ornamental style of the period. During periods when water architecture had been popular, the construction of fountains reflecting the architectural and decorative style of the period increased. Fountains from the reign of Sultan Mahmud II have an important place in Ottoman art in terms of showing architectural and ornamental changes in parallel with the changes the Ottoman Empire was undergoing in all areas. Within the scope of this study, nine fountains built in Beyoglu during the reign of Sultan Mahmud II have been chosen. These fountains have not been discussed in detail in any previous known study. The materials, decoration styles, epitaphs, and dimensions of the chosen fountain have been examined in detail. The study aims to transfer the dilapidated fountains to future generations as concrete examples of the period by trying to reveal its place in Turkish architecture.