Akmescit Çeşmesi, Isparta'nın Barla kasabasında 18. Yüzyıldan kalan ahşap çatılı taş çeşme olup, sivri kemerli niş tasarımı ve ejder-selvi kabartmaları dönemin taş işçiliğinin özgün bir örneğidir.
In one of Barla's quiet streets, on Akmescit Street, stands a small stone structure. Built in the 18th century, this fountain has a design that is closed on three sides and open on the front. A wooden roof covers it. It is not a magnificent monument, but rather a neighborhood fountain in scale, yet its details are too meticulous to be overlooked.
The main structure of the building consists of three pointed-arch niches. The central niche is narrow, while the two side niches are wider. In the central section where the basin is located, there are two dragon reliefs on a rectangular surface; immediately next to them, two cypress motifs are carved. These reliefs transform the fountain from an ordinary water structure into a small stone carving artwork.
There is no clear record of who commissioned the structure or its exact construction date. Sources indicate the 18th century, but a precise year is not specified. Most visitors to Barla come to see the house where Mehmed Akif Ersoy lived or the lakeside, and the fountain becomes a brief addition to this route. Nevertheless, it holds value for those who wish to see the old Barla texture and how simple yet layered a wooden-roofed fountain can be.
Guide's Note
About Akmescit Fountain
The fountain is located within the old texture of Barla, on a street away from wide avenues. The stonework is not crude. Especially the dragon reliefs in the central niche and the cypress motifs on the sides indicate that the stone masters of the period paid attention even to an ordinary water structure. The structure is still standing, and its wooden roof is preserved.
How to Get There
From Isparta city center, you go to Eğirdir, and from Eğirdir to Barla. The total journey by private car takes 40-45 minutes. If you're going by public transport, you need to first take a bus from Isparta to Eğirdir, then change to a minibus from Eğirdir to Barla. After arriving in Barla, Akmescit Street is close to the center and can be found on foot.
Best Time to Visit
Barla, being a high-altitude settlement on the shore of Lake Eğirdir, is cool even in the evenings during summer. There is no specific seasonal requirement to visit the fountain; as it is an open-air site, it can be visited at any time. The general walking atmosphere of the town is more pleasant in spring and autumn.
How Much Time to Allocate
The fountain itself can be explored in 10-15 minutes; examining the reliefs and taking a few photos is sufficient. The main time is spent on other stops in Barla. If you combine it with the Mehmed Akif Ersoy Museum and the lakeside, half a day will pass comfortably.
Suggested Route
When you enter Barla, first visit the house where Mehmed Akif Ersoy lived, then walk through the town center to the Akmescit Fountain. Finally, you can go down to the lakeside and complete your day with the view of Lake Eğirdir. It is also possible to allocate time for the island when returning to Eğirdir center.
Photography Tips
The dragon and cypress reliefs in the central niche are the most striking details; they are clearer in close-up shots. In the morning, when the light hits the stone surface from the side, the depth of the reliefs becomes more pronounced. Including the wooden roof of the fountain in the frame is also beneficial to show the entirety of the structure.
Things to Consider
Since the fountain is a small street structure, access with wheelchairs or strollers may be difficult due to uneven street surfaces. Tourist infrastructure (signs, information boards) around the structure is limited. Reviewing a general map of Barla before your visit will make your job easier.
This content originates from neresigezilir.com.tr and may not be copied without permission.
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