Water was usually collected in the wells outside the city, stored and purified, then brought to the city by canals and pumped to the city fountains in the end. The running water in the fountains was stored in marble storage. Every passenger that walks pass the fountain used to drink water using the tankard which was always kept just near the fountain. Especially, on hot summer days, passengers used to say a prayer for the ones who built these fountains.

During the Ottoman Period the wealthy families and statesmen have had many fountains built. These fountains as well as providing water, also showed the wealth and fame of the owners. Also, it’s obvious that the owners of these fountains kept the concept of good deeds and charity of the Islam Philosophy in mind.

As well as spectacular places being ornamented, water sources were built in towns and squares rather than being delivered to houses individually. The houses located near fountains shows the effect of fountains in urbanization. In addition, daily conversation near fountains shows that fountains had a special place socially.

We can see that in supplying houses with water, the individuals as well as the government (rulling powers those days) contributed by getting water from their own lands.

The architecture of the fountains are considered to be from the period up until the 18th century, which was before the Ottomans started being affected by western civilization and from the period after that one. The fountains which were built before the 18th century generally reflected effects of classical Ottoman architecture. Whereas the fountains that were built after the 18th century easily show European effects.

The usage of fountains, one of the important aspects of fountain architecture, can first be seen in the period of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent. Before this period water was left to run naturally which caused a build up of muddy areas. But the Ottomans who tried to prevent the waste of water added taps to fountains and began to use water economically.