Water Buildings of the Edirne Palace

Abstract

The construction of Edirne Palace was started by Sultan Murad II. It was completed and put into service in the time of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror and was used until the end of the 19th century with the additions made in the following periods. To meet the water need of the palace, which contains about a hundred buildings, water was brought from various sources through water supply lines, and structures such as water tower, water depot, fountains and pools were built for the distribution and use of these waters; in addition to these, wells were drilled to benefit from groundwater.

This large palace complex was largely destroyed during the Ottoman-Russian and Balkan wars, and most of the water structures were destroyed along with the others; only the water depot of the palace, Namazgâhlı Fountain, Palace Kitchens (Matbah-ı Âmire) Fountain, a well and a water tower have survived to the present day. In the study, it was aimed to introduce and evaluate those that are not available today but have visual information such as photographs and drawings, and the above-mentioned water structures. Among these, the water depot, dated to the 15th century, constitutes a unique monumental building with its mass and three-story structure. At the same time, Namazgâhlı Fountain, which is a public fountain, reflects the early 18th century in terms of its architectural and decorative features. Palace Kitchens Fountain is like a fountain with a water tank where water is distributed to kitchen units. The water tower located next to the Mahmudiye Barracks has the characteristic features of such buildings with its square-section body narrowing upwards. It is controversial that Terazi Pavilion and Justice Pavilion, which are claimed to be water towers at the same time, actually have such a function. The well does not differ from its counterparts with its well-curb and stone-woven wall.