Ottoman Fountains as Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage: The Case of Iskilip

Abstract

This article explores the Ottoman fountains of Iskilip, Türkiye, as heritage assets that connect architectural expression with living cultural practices. While these fountains remain visible elements of the urban landscape, their origins reflect long-standing religious, social, and philanthropic traditions associated with the Ottoman waqf system. Beyond their functional role in water distribution, Ottoman fountains historically operated as socially embedded spaces where belief systems, charitable ethics, and everyday communal interaction converged. The study aims to examine how Iskilip’s fountains integrate tangible architectural features with intangible cultural values shaped by belief systems, commemorative intentions, and community rituals. In the existing literature, Ottoman fountains have largely been examined through their stylistic and structural characteristics. This study addresses this gap by interpreting fountains not only as architectural heritage but also as carriers of intangible cultural meaning, particularly in the context of small Anatolian towns. Methodologically, the research combines archival and literature analysis with field-based architectural documentation and typological study. Ottoman fountains surviving in the historic centre of Iskilip were examined through on-site observation, photography, and measurement, and their current conditions were compared with earlier documentation. The findings indicate that, despite the decline of their original hydraulic functions, these fountains continue to function as cultural reference points through inscriptions, spatial memory, and ritualised remembrance, demonstrating the close relationship between tangible architectural heritage and intangible cultural practices.