Fountains in Islamic gardens

Thursday, 30 December 2010

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Written by Dr. Ragheb Elsergany

Introduction:

Fountains in Islamic gardens constitute part of skills of Muslim farmers, engineers and artists in the use of water in gardens.

"Water was variously used in Islamic gardens in the form of water surfaces shaded by trees, in the form of fountains that help in the moving of water surface so that it could not act as a reflective surface, in the form of upper pipes from which water flow down, causing fine murmur, or in the form of spring[1]."

Fountains in Islamic cities:

After we have partly seen how Islamic gardens were widespread even inside houses, we can say: we can double this imagination by trying to count the incalculable number of fountains in every garden in Islamic cities.

Even poor houses in the Islamic society are described by Will Durant by saying: "The houses of the poor at the time, just as is the case now, were rectangular buildings made of unburnt bricks with a ceiling made of a mixture of mud, wood, tree and palm branches and straw. The somehow better houses included an uncovered court with a fountain and sometimes a tree and a set of wooden columns as well as a roofed corridor between the court and rooms[2].

A fountain at the yard of Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque in Morocco

For instance, there were over 600 public fountains in Belgrade during the Ottoman Caliphate era[3].

Fountains in Fez City:

Several years ago, Moroccan authorities restored ancient fountains in Fez City. According to statistics released at the time, there were some 70 traditional fountains in the streets of Fez, 400 fountains in houses, mosques and ancient schools. Historical sources say these fountains have been existent in the ancient city since the 16th century. They were totally used in drinking and watering animals and orchards. Their existence is believed to be associated with the patterns of the complicated water network in Fez around 10 centuries back[4].

Thus, fountains were not some sort of prodigality insomuch as they were part of the philosophy of Islamic civilization in the use of water, which was "related to functional aspects and sensual spiritual pleasure[5]".

Fountains in Granada:

Water flowing out of fountains – at Generalife in Granada – was directed around the edge of the pool in a very skilful way that could make flowing water produce semicircle waves while falling on the pool. This style was an invented Islamic addition[6]. There were sometimes fish or birds like ducks. The existence of fountains around the pools prevented the appearance of insects on the water surface. They were also used for dribbling out to create fine weather by the least possible quantity of water[7].

Fountains in Balkan countries:

The optimum use of water was clearly shown in public fountains that combined symbolic, aesthetic and practical dimensions. The most beautiful examples of such creative things existed at the yards of mosques. Such key examples existed in Balkan countries during the Ottoman Caliphate era, like fountains of Koski Mohmmed Pasha Mosque, Hertdos Bey Mosque, Sinan Bey Mosque in Kaineng, Sultan Ismi Mosque in Baica, Mustapha Pasha Mosque in Skopje, Ghazi Khosrof Beg Mosque in Sarajevo, and Alaja Mosque in Foča. Many Muslim cities across the world, particularly in the Balkans, are marked by fountains whose water is fit for drinking, wudu' (ablutions) and washing[8].

Fountains in Andalusia:

In Andalusia, namely at Al-Hamra Palace, the Fountain of the Lions was not only a key aspect of the water network that used to supply the palace with water, but it was also a masterpiece that showed beautiful sculpture in Islamic civilization as the fountain was surrounded by motifs of 12 lions with water flowing out of their mouths. We get more surprised to learn that the fountain was used as a clock where water flew out of just one lion when it was one o'clock, and out of two lions when it was two o'clock, etc until water flew out of the mouths of all the 12 lions at 12 o'clock. But, this system broke down following the downfall of Andalusia, and Spaniards spoilt it when they tried to learn how to operate it[9].

Thus, fountains were an elegant part of Islamic gardens, having had a practical function, aesthetic value and, sometimes, scientific invention.

The Fountain of the Lions: a clock, water network center and terrific view

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