The fountains of Rhodes

Information

During the ottoman period (1522-1912) numerous public fountains are created by Muslims, whose religion considers the construction of a public fountain, a benefit for the soul. Found in all shapes and sizes –freestanding with a marbled back, freestanding of a square, cyclical or polygonical plan with a reservoir, wall fountains with one or more spouts, etc. They are situated in the gates for the watering of travellers and the animals, in the neighbourhoods for drinking water supplies, in parks and private gardens for the watering of them, or next to mosques and synagoges for ablution and purifiing purposes, before the prayers.
Most of them are build by the rhodian lime stone with marbled backs, embellished with floral and geometrical motives and epigrams coming out of the Coran.
In the Christian neighbourhoods “ marasia” outside the Medieval city the public fountains are built by greek and foreign benefactors, on the outer wall of the churches, in neoclassical style of a pediment on wall pillars.
During the Italian occupation, fountains are built in public spaces for decorative purposes, in a variety of style.