The Ibrahim Bey Imaret dates from 1433. It was a continuation of the Seljuk style, it is in the tradition of the Karatay Medrese and the Ince Minare Medrese in Konya. The inner court is covered. To the right side of the mosque there is the türbe of the founder, emir Ibrahim Bey. In front of the mosque stands the Ibrahim Bey Çeşmesi, also built in Seljuk style.

For pictures of the glory of the former mihrab of this mosque, now in an Istanbul museum, click this link.

On the picture: The ‘çeşme’, not in use anymore.

A çeşme (a kind of fountain) is a piece of architecture which pours water into a basin to supply drinking water. They were connected to springs or aqueducts. Until the late 19th century most ‘çeşme’ operated by gravity, and needed a source of water higher than the fountain, such as a reservoir or aqueduct, to make the water flow.
In addition to providing drinking water, fountains were used for decoration and to celebrate their builders, which were generally rulers or high state officials, whose name would be mentioned on the ‘kitâbe’ (= building inscription). In this case, there is no ‘kitâbe’, but the proximity of the Ibrahim Bey Imareti makes it obvious who is to be remembered for this fountain.

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.