The fountains of Çeşme form a critical part of its heritage since the direct modern translation of ‘Çeşme’ from Turkish is ‘Fountain’, a description of the town almost certainly derived from the plentiful and varied water supplies in and around Çeşme, including thermal springs and potable water supplies provided for both local inhabitants and transient mariners restocking their provisions through the ages. The varied Ottoman fountains of Çeşme are a link to the town’s past and a reminder of its social history.
Fountains of Çeşme – Table of Contents
Necessity & Usage of the Ottoman Fountains
Globally, until the early 20th century, plumbing supplying running water to homes was rare. During the Ottoman era, houses were provided mostly by an ornately dressed Saka (water carrier) who collected water from public fountains of Çeşme in leather sacks and poured it into customers’ ceramic jars. Most homes contained a cistern that collected well or rainwater. However, this water was only suitable for daily use. The tanks would also be used to hang food to keep it cool and stop it from spoiling.
Ottoman Fountain Structure
Where the water supply to a fountain is not wholly consistent, the water collecting chamber (such as with the Murabutzade and Castle Street fountains of Çeşme) is a principal element collecting water as a safeguard against drought and water shortage. Terracotta pipes linked to the central supply system provide water intake to the fountain chambers. The chamber keeps water cooled and provides distillation against impurities, which are collected up to a level of 20-25 cm at the base, above which the water is released to flow through the spout. Typically, impermeable plaster covers half the chamber; above this, the stone is left uncovered to allow for evaporation, with an overflow hole immediately above the water collection level to expel any excess water. The upper level has a cleaning and maintenance opening typically covered with a shutter blind. Brick or stone domes form the roof of most fountains.
The Fountains of Çeşme
Below is a selection of 15 fountains that can be found today in the centre of Çeşme; they are listed in alphabetical order with notes on their characteristics and respective locations:
Castle Fountain (1508)
Location: Inside the castle at the original main gate (south wall) between the mosque and Çaka Bey tower. Situation: Forms a significant part of the castle entrance camber. Size: 2.57m x 4.34m x 2.54m. Status: Excellent condition restored as part of the extensive castle renovation. Properties: Cut stone facade and rubble masonry.
See also: LikeCesme.com “Çeşme Castle Museum”
Castle Street Fountain (1718)
Location: Sk. 1002 (near Sk. 2015). Situation: Attached to an adjacent building. Size: 2.23m x 3.38m x 2.95m. Status: The Fountain was restored in 2012 from a plastered and painted state by Çeşme Municipality and Umart Mimerlik. Properties: Rubble masonry set with mortar, cut andesite jug shelf and basin, and marble.
Municipality plaque inscription reads: “There’s a relatively big subscription in the middle of the humpback niche. The outer line of the subscription is not smooth, and the subscription text is written in thuluth as three lines. Above the text is a circular figure. As the subscription has been painted and damaged in this way only these words can be read: ‘The prayer Fatiha for the spirit of ……who did works of charity and acquired merit by God.’ Year 1115”
Çatal Fountain (Unknown date)
Location: Junction Sk. 2051/2042 (opposite Çeşme amphitheatre). Situation: Freestanding. Size: 3.30m x 2.33m x 2.71m. Status: Relocated in the 1990s, listed for preservation July 1992, currently in the car park area and used as storage/display by an adjacent florist. Properties: Front-cut stone arches and rectangular columns, rear-rubble masonry with mortar.
Church Fountain (1832)
Location: Sk. 2030 (behind Ayios Haralambos Church). Situation: Set on the church wall. Size: 1.99m x 1.45m x 0.58m. Status: Relocated from the north side of the church (high street) after 1988, listed for preservation in July 1992, currently used for sanitary and street cleaning purposes. Properties: Cut stone with mortar.
Church Gate Fountain (unknown date)
Location: Sk. 3013 (near Sk. 3023). Situation: Set on a wall. Size: 1.94m x 1.57m x 0.18m/0.74m. Status: Adjacent to preservation, listed old church gate (unknown church demolished), but the fountain is not listed. Surrounded by building materials and marked with graffiti. Properties: Previously slate stone with decorative elements, after 1988, it was wholly covered with tiles.
Hamaloglu / Hafize Rabia Hatun Fountain (1851)
Location: Junction Sk. 1021/2032. Situation: Freestanding, adjacent to the southeast corner of Çeşme cemetery. Size: 4.25m x 3.40m x 3.50m. Status: Listed for preservation in July 1992, restored in October 2015. Properties: Cut stone facade, red & white arch stones, rubble masonry dome, Ottoman inscription in depicted jug on façade arch keystone, with tulip motives on either side of spout stone.
Ilica Road Fountain (unknown circa late C18th)
Location: Ataturk Boulevard (near Migros MM). Situation: freestanding. Size: 3.52m x 3.18m x 0.66m. Status: Not protected, moved from Çeşme-Ovacık road, forms wall of tyre service garage, defaced by graffiti. Properties: Cut stone on the front facade; otherwise, rubble masonry.
Ilyaszade Fountain (1780)
Location: Junction Sk. 2032/1005/2009. Situation: Freestanding. Size: 4.16m x 3.86m x 3.80m. Status: Restored after 1970, listed for preservation July 1992, maintained in good condition. Properties: Cut stone facade and arches, plastered rubble masonry dome.
Attribution by Ahmet Karaçöl in the study states, “Built by SeyyidMuhammed, the son of Hafız İlyas according to the panels on each of four façades, and repaired in 1829 according to an additional panel at the right side corner of the front façade (Geyik 2007).”
Kabadayi Fountain (1839)
Location: Junction Sk. 1005/1043. Situation: Attached to the adjacent building. Size: 4.60m x 3.33m x 3.35m. Status: Listed for preservation in July 1992, with reasonable condition considering the decrepit adjoining building. Properties: Cut stone facade, columns and arches, rubble masonry dome covered in plant growth.
Kaymakam Fountain (1886)
Location: Sk. 1065 at the corner of Sk. 1015. Situation: Freestanding. Size: 3.70m x 3.11m x 3.05m. Status: Listed for preservation in July 1992, renovated and relocated in 1986 due to the construction of Çeşme harbour road. Properties: Cut stone on all facades, slate stone eaves, rubble interior, cement plastered dome since transfer.
The municipality plaque inscription reads: “Kaymakam Sadik Bey Fountain was constructed by Kaymakam Sadik Bey in 1303 (Hegira calendar), 1886 (Gregorian calendar). By the leadership of the Association of Cesme Hotels, it was restored with the support of Izmir Zone Foundations Directorship and Municipality of Cesme, sponsorship of Dear Mehmet Akpinar and Umart Architecture October 23 2015.”
Köste Street Fountain (Unknown circa late C18th)
Location: Junction Sk. 3025 (previously Köste Street)/3033. Situation: Currently, freestanding was attached to the demolished property boundary wall. Size: 3.19m x 2.53m x 2.42m. Status: Listed for preservation in July 1992, restored from plaster covering, and in good condition. Properties: Cut stone and rubble masonry, pitched roof.
The municipality plaque inscription reads: “As there isn’t a subscription, the date of construction and the person who built it is unknown.”
Köste Street Wall Fountain (Unknown)
Location: Junction Sk. 3013 (previously Köste Street) corner of Sk. 3019. Situation: attached to wall. Size: 2.05m x 1.78m x 0.66m. Status: Not protected, repaired 1990, recently (since 2015) overpainted in green gloss. Properties: Yellow & white cut stone.
Memiş Ağa Fountain (1798)
Location: Sk. 2009 corner of Sk. 2002. Situation: forms part of private residential building structure & walls. Size: 3.04m x 2.54m x 2.46m. Status: Listed for preservation July 1992, overpainted in whitewash. An electrical pylon was constructed directly in front. Properties: Cut stone on the front facade and cement plaster on the side.
Murabutzade Fountain (1776)
Location: Sk. 2006 corner of Sk. 2008/9. Situation: adjacent to two walls of a private residential building and roof forms a terrace. Size: 2.86m x 3.10m x 3.50m. Status: Listed for preservation in July 1992, fully renovated before January 2015, including removal of extensive plastering and overpainting. Properties: Cut stone on the front facade and rubble masonry set with mortar elsewhere.
The municipality plaque was removed sometime between September 2015 and November 2018. Ahmet Karaçöl’s attribution in the study states, “Built by Ayşe Hatun for her deceased husband Murabutzade Hacı Hüseyin Kaptan in 1776” (Kayın 1988, Geyik 2007).
Saliha Fountain (1800)
Location: Junction Sk. 1015/1016 (in front of Osman Ağa Mosque) Situation: freestanding. Size: 3.83m x 3.46m x 2.57m. Status: Listed for preservation in July 1992, moved in the 1990s and renovated. Properties: Sandstone with mortar.
Ahmet Karaçöl’s attribution in the study states, “Built in 1800 by Seyyid Hüseyin Ağa, the son of Şerif Ağa and his wife Hacı Saliha, the daughter of Ehli Bıçakçı” (Geyik 2007).
Fountains of Çeşme – Reference & Source Reading
For complete in-depth material, including detailed drawings of Cesme fountains, we would recommend the comprehensive study by Ahmet Karaçöl, ‘Investigation of the Ottoman Period Fountains in Izmir/Çeşme for their Preservation‘. The study was published in March 2011 in English as a thesis submitted to the Graduate School of Engineering and Sciences of İzmir Institute of Technology in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Architectural Restoration. The compilation of information on this page relies significantly on data from Ahmet Karaçöl’s thesis.