RESEARCH OF SAFRANBOLU SUKRU EFFENDI FOUNTAIN ORNAMENTATIONS

Abstract

One of the historical settlements of the Western Black Sea Region, Safranbolu, has appeared in
written sources as the “pearl” of the period in the words of Homer. The city has been home to many
civilizations due to its strategic position enabling passage between the ancient east and west and the
suitability of its geography. However, most of the immovable cultural heritages reached today with
their decorations were identified to be from the 16th century and later. These structures are observed to be historical fountains which occupy an important place in the configuration of the city
together with civil and religious architecture.
Monumental fronts of most of the fountains in Safranbolu, where water is abundant, have been
decorated with similar motifs. The example having a composition that forms completeness among
these is the Şükrü Effendi Fountain.
The structure was built on the garden wall of a residence and between two pillars as a single front
structure in a rectangular shape. Ornament compositions carry the characteristics of its period.
However, what makes this fountain different from other similar 28 decorated fountains in
Safranbolu and attracts attention is the completeness in its composition.
In this research, each motif in the decoration composition of Safranbolu Şükrü Efendi Fountain was
evaluated according to Design Principles and Methods as well.