Fountain Alifakovac

Age: 1939
Period : Ottoman Empire
Author: –
Type: Fountain made of natural stone with a trough
Status: Protected
Functionality: In function
Water quality: Drinkable water
Bibliography: Kreševljaković, H. (1939). Vodovodi i gradnje na vodi u starom Sarajevu. Sarajevo: Gradska štedionica općine grada Sarajevo.

The public fountain Alifakovac is located on Alifakovac Street and is embedded in the wall of the Alifakovac cemetery. Hamdija Kreševljaković documented that there was a fountain at Alifakovac almost 100 years ago (Kreševljaković, 1939). He wrote that the fountain was originally built before 1780, as records from which he drew information indicate that there was a destroyed fountain at this location, which was restored by judge Ahmed ef. Jahaj-zade in 1780. Kreševljaković also mentions that the poet Mejlija Derviš Muhamed wrote a poem in Arabic that is engraved on this fountain. According to Kreševljaković, the translation of this poem is: “The first among the judges, Jahja efendi zade, quenched the thirst of those in need with this water in the name of God. This charity was built in the name of God by that great man, and he dedicated it to the soul of his son. May this good deed be accepted by the Great God! With this work, may the high soul of the munla rejoice. Suddenly, Mejlija, such a history fell from the pen: Munla efendi brought the spring of life.” Kreševljaković also noted that this fountain was restored again a few years before he mentioned it in his book, and that the original inscription was preserved and reintegrated into the fountain. A historical graphic representation of the fountain compared to its appearance at the time of the site visit revealed that the fountain now looks somewhat different than before, with the main difference being that the historical depiction did not have a basin as it does today. The main volume of the fountain appears relatively the same as it did almost 100 years ago; it is a monumental vertically oriented rectangular prism entirely made of stone, with an Arabic inscription on one of the stones that appears to be much older than the other stone pieces and is located on the front above the spout. During the field visit, the fountain was functional, as the horizontal spout ensured a constant flow of water. The basin also seemed quite old, as visible signs of deterioration were present, and unlike other old basins, it had a metal pipe protruding from the drainage opening on the front, likely to protect the exterior part of the basin from moisture. At the time of the last field visit, the front side of the fountain had a slight change in color below the spout, but the basin was much more damaged by moisture, as its interior was covered in accumulated algae, and someone’s surname (Turković) was written on the left side of the fountain.

Location: St. Alifakovac pp 23

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