Water Features in Turkish Gardens

The Soul of the Garden: Water Features in Turkish Landscapes

In the hot, dry climate of Turkey, water has always been treasured not just for its life-giving properties but for its beauty, sound, and cooling effects. It's no surprise that water features form the heart of traditional Turkish garden design, creating focal points that engage all the senses and transform garden spaces into tranquil retreats.

From the elaborate fountains of Ottoman palace gardens to the simple wall spouts in village courtyards, water elements in Turkish gardens reflect cultural values, engineering ingenuity, and artistic expression. In this article, we'll explore the different types of water features found in Turkish gardens and how you can incorporate these time-honored designs into your own outdoor space.

Cultural and Historical Significance

The prominence of water in Turkish gardens has deep cultural and religious roots. In Islamic tradition, water symbolizes life, purity, and paradise. The Quran describes gardens "beneath which rivers flow" as part of the heavenly reward, influencing how gardens were conceptualized in the Islamic world, including Turkey.

Beyond religious symbolism, water features in Turkish gardens serve practical purposes:

• Cooling the Environment: In hot summer months, water features reduce ambient temperatures through evaporative cooling
• Creating Ambiance: The sound of flowing water masks urban noise and creates a sense of tranquility
• Providing Irrigation: Many historical garden water systems were designed to supply water to plants as well as for aesthetic purposes
• Supporting Wildlife: Water features attract birds and beneficial insects, enhancing biodiversity

Traditional Types of Water Features

1. The Çeşme (Wall Fountain)

Perhaps the most ubiquitous water feature in Turkish culture, the çeşme is a wall-mounted fountain that serves both practical and decorative functions. Historically, these fountains were placed along streets and in mosque courtyards for public use, but they were also incorporated into private gardens.

A traditional çeşme with Ottoman-style decorative elements

Key Features:

• Water typically flows from a spout into a basin or trough
• Often decorated with calligraphy, floral motifs, or geometric patterns
• Made from marble, stone, or decorated with ceramic tiles
• Usually positioned against a wall or within a niche

Modern Adaptations:

• Contemporary wall fountains can be integrated into garden walls or house exteriors
• Recirculating pumps eliminate the need for continuous water supply
• Solar-powered options make installation more flexible
• Can be scaled to fit spaces of any size, from small courtyards to large estates

2. Reflecting Pools and Havuz

Central pools, known as havuz in Turkish, are a defining feature of formal Turkish gardens. These still-water features create mirror-like surfaces that reflect architecture, plants, and sky, effectively doubling the beauty of the surroundings.

Key Features:

• Geometric shapes, typically rectangular or square, occasionally octagonal
• Often positioned centrally in a courtyard or garden space
• Relatively shallow depth, designed primarily for reflection rather than swimming
• Sometimes contain fish or water plants
• Edges typically finished in stone or tile

Modern Adaptations:

• Contemporary materials like concrete or steel can create sleek, modern interpretations
• Infinity edge designs create a seamless connection with the surrounding landscape
• Shallow water features require less water while maintaining reflective qualities
• Integration with lighting creates dramatic nighttime effects

3. Selsebil (Cascading Fountains)

The selsebil is a distinctive stepped fountain where water flows over a series of sloped, textured surfaces, creating gentle ripples and musical sounds. The word comes from "salsabil," which appears in the Quran as a fountain in paradise.

Key Features:

• Series of carved channels or ridges that create textured water movement
• Often integrated into walls or as part of a larger fountain complex
• Designed to maximize the sound of flowing water
• Traditionally carved from marble with intricate surface patterns

Modern Adaptations:

• Contemporary materials like glass, steel, or concrete can create modern interpretations
• LED lighting can enhance the visual effect of water flowing over textured surfaces
• Compact versions can be incorporated into small garden spaces or even container gardens

A selsebil fountain with traditional carved patterns that enhance water movement

4. Water Channels and Rills

Narrow water channels, sometimes called rills, connect different garden areas and water features in traditional Turkish gardens. These linear water elements guide the eye through the garden and symbolize the rivers of paradise described in Islamic texts.

Key Features:

• Straight, geometric channels that often follow garden pathways
• Sometimes include small "chini" (basins) at intervals
• Often lined with stone or ceramic tiles
• May incorporate small jets or bubbling features at intervals

Modern Adaptations:

• Contemporary designs might use steel or concrete edging for a cleaner look
• Integration with lighting creates dramatic night-time effects
• Can be designed to appear as a "floating" channel with concealed edges
• Modular systems make installation more straightforward

5. Şadırvan (Ablution Fountains)

While primarily found in mosque courtyards for ritual ablutions, the şadırvan design has influenced garden fountains in private settings. These are typically polygonal or circular fountains with multiple spouts under a domed or canopied roof.

Key Features:

• Central structure with water spouts positioned around the perimeter
• Often covered with a decorative canopy or dome
• Typically surrounded by a circular or polygonal basin
• Elaborately decorated with tiles, stone carving, or metalwork

Modern Adaptations:

• Simplified versions can serve as garden focal points without the religious connotations
• Contemporary materials can create more minimalist interpretations of the traditional form
• Can be scaled down for smaller garden spaces

Incorporating Water Features in Contemporary Gardens

The principles behind Turkish water features can be adapted to gardens of any size or style. Here are some practical considerations for different garden situations:

For Small Gardens and Courtyards:

• Wall Fountains (Çeşme): Perfect for small spaces, these take up minimal floor area while providing the sound and movement of water. Consider a simple spout and basin with ceramic tile accents.
• Mini Reflecting Pools: Even a small basin (as little as 60-90cm across) can create a reflective surface that enhances the sense of space.
• Container Water Gardens: Large ceramic pots or metal vessels can be converted into small water features with miniature aquatic plants.

For Medium to Large Gardens:

• Central Havuz: A formal reflecting pool creates a stunning focal point, especially when positioned to reflect trees or architectural elements.
• Water Channels: Create a sense of journey through your garden with narrow water rills that connect different garden "rooms."
• Combination Features: Integrate multiple water elements—perhaps a wall fountain that feeds into a channel, which then flows to a central pool.

Technical Considerations:

• Water Conservation: Modern water features should be designed with conservation in mind. Recirculating pumps, proper sealing, and controlled flow rates minimize water usage.
• Materials: While traditional Turkish fountains often use marble and ceramic tiles, contemporary interpretations can incorporate concrete, steel, glass, or composite materials.
• Maintenance: Consider ease of cleaning, winter protection, and access to pumps and filters when designing your water feature.
• Sound Design: Different water movements create different sounds. Consider whether you want the gentle ripple of a still pool occasionally disturbed by breeze, the consistent white noise of a cascade, or the melodic drip of a slow-flowing spout.

Decorative Elements for Turkish-Inspired Water Features

The beauty of Turkish water features often lies in their decorative details. Consider incorporating these elements to enhance authenticity:

Ceramic Tiles

Turkish çini (ceramic tiles) with their distinctive blue and turquoise glazes are hallmarks of traditional water features. Consider using these for:

• Fountain backsplashes
• Pool edging or interior lining
• Decorative panels alongside water channels

You can find authentic Turkish tiles through specialty importers, or use similar styles from more readily available sources.

Calligraphy and Inscriptions

Traditional fountains often feature inscriptions—poetry, Quranic verses, or phrases celebrating water's life-giving properties. Modern interpretations might include:

• Simple words like "su" (water) or "hayat" (life) in Turkish script
• Favorite quotes about nature or water
• Abstract interpretations of calligraphic forms

Geometric Patterns

Islamic geometric patterns bring mathematical precision to water feature design. Consider:

• Star patterns for pool shapes or paving around water features
• Geometric lattice screens alongside water elements
• Repeating patterns carved into stone fountain faces

Plant Companions for Water Features

The relationship between water and plants is essential in Turkish garden design. Consider these traditional pairings:

Poolside Plantings:

• Cypress Trees: Traditionally planted alongside pools to reflect in the water
• Fragrant Herbs: Lavender, rosemary, and mint planted near water where their scent is enhanced by humidity
• Roses: Often planted near water features where they can benefit from the increased humidity

Aquatic Plants:

• Traditional Turkish gardens sometimes include water lilies (Nymphaea) in larger pools
• Rushes and sedges can be used to soften the edges of more naturalistic water features

Case Study: Adapting Turkish Water Feature Principles

Let's consider how Turkish water feature traditions might be adapted for a contemporary courtyard garden:

Original Concept: A central rectangular havuz (reflecting pool) with a simple wall fountain (çeşme) at one end.

Modern Adaptation:

• A slim, rectangular water feature (60cm x 200cm) with a dark bottom to enhance reflection
• A stainless steel wall panel with a simple spout feeding the pool
• Blue ceramic tiles framing the spout area, referencing traditional Turkish designs
• LED lighting to illuminate the water at night
• A recirculating pump system with minimal water consumption
• Drought-tolerant Mediterranean plants positioned to reflect in the water

This adaptation maintains the essential principles of Turkish water feature design—reflection, sound, and central positioning—while using contemporary materials and technology to create a low-maintenance feature suitable for modern living.

Conclusion: The Timeless Appeal of Water in the Garden

Water features have been central to Turkish garden design for centuries, and for good reason. Water engages all our senses—the sight of reflections and movement, the sound of flowing or dripping water, the feel of coolness, and even the fresh scent of humidity in the air.

By incorporating Turkish-inspired water elements into your garden, you're not just adding a decorative feature; you're creating a multisensory experience that changes with the light, the seasons, and even your own perspective. Whether you choose a simple wall fountain, an elaborate reflecting pool, or a combination of water elements, you'll be connecting with centuries of garden tradition while creating a space for contemplation and enjoyment in your own outdoor sanctuary.

In our next article, we'll explore seasonal maintenance for Turkish-inspired gardens, helping you keep your garden looking its best throughout the year.