Fountain of Ahmed III, Ottoman fountain in Üsküdar, Turkey.
The Fountain of Ahmed III is an octagonal structure with four wide facades and four narrower corner faces, topped by a lead-covered square pyramid roof. Inside, multiple faucets beneath pointed arch openings serve different needs: lower ones for filling containers and ritual washing, while upper ones provide drinking water.
Built in 1728 along the Bosphorus waterfront, the fountain originally served as an important water supply for the expanding settlement. In 1932, during an urban redesign of the square, it was moved to its present location beside Mihrimah Sultan Mosque.
Poetry inscribed on the facades comes from known Ottoman poets and the sultan himself, telling stories through words carved in stone. Visitors can see how much care went into making this fountain a place of both function and meaning.
The fountain sits in a busy square near a well-known mosque and is easily reached on foot from nearby streets. Water can be drunk directly from the faucets, and the site remains open and free to visit at any time of day.
The structure uses a special decorative technique called muqarnas to transition from its octagonal base to the square roof above. The ornamental details include carved flower patterns featuring tulips, roses, and chrysanthemums that reflect the artistic tastes of the period.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
