On the picture: A ‘sebil’ at the corner of the Hekimoğlu Ali Paşa complex (1734). An example of the new 18th century ‘Turkish Rococo’ style, mixing Classical, Baroque and Eastern elements. Another fine specimen of this style is the Fountain of Ahmet III (1728), east of the Aya Sofya.

A sebil is a kiosk-shaped public fountain, with grilled office-windows where attendants handed fresh water over to the public. Generally a sebil had a cellar, where large blocks of ice were brought in during winter. So, in summer, the drinking water could be cooled before distributing it.

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Sources: (amongst others) ‘Guides Bleus: Turquie’ – Edition 1986 & Wikipedia.