Ulu Camii Çeşmesi, Isparta merkezdeki Valilik binasının yanında, Kutlubey Camii bahçesinde yer alan 1929 tarihli kesme taş çeşmedir; dört yüzünü dolaşan manzum kitabesiyle dikkat çeker.
Ulu Camii Cesmesi is located in the garden of Kutlubey (Ulu) Mosque, the iconic mosque of Isparta, right next to the Governor's Office building. It is constructed of uniform cut stone in a square plan, with pointed arch niches framed by rectangles on all four sides. The most striking aspect of the fountain is the poem carved into the stone: it runs along all four surfaces of the fountain in couplets and tells how it was completed by the municipality in 1929 and was a gift from Ekrem Bey to the city.
The fountain alone is not a structure worthy of a long visit. But when visiting the Ulu Mosque, it's a small discovery point worth spending a few minutes in the garden. The mosque was built in the 15th century and underwent restoration by foundations between 2023-2026; visitors speak of the mosque's simple yet impressive architecture, calligraphic decorations, and peaceful atmosphere. In the garden, you can also find the tomb of Kutlubey, the founder of the mosque, and there are shaded seating areas under plane trees.
When walking through the city center, visitors to the Ulu Mosque don't pass by the fountain without seeing it. There are other historic structures nearby, such as Yenihamam (Dalboyunoglu Bath). Therefore, this fountain should be thought of not in isolation, but as part of a short walking route in the center of Isparta.
Guide's Note
When to Visit
The fountain can be seen throughout the year as it is in an open area. Those who want to visit it together with the mosque prefer hours outside of prayer times; especially during noon prayers and Friday prayer times the mosque is busier. Comments mention a peaceful atmosphere even on weekends. The center of Isparta generally does not experience intense tourism pressure.
How to Get There
The fountain is in the garden of the Ulu Mosque right next to Isparta's Governor's Office building. For those staying in the city center, it is within walking distance. For those arriving at Isparta center by bus or minibus, it is a short walk away. If you come by car, you can use the multi-story municipal parking lot next to the mosque; traffic in the historic center can sometimes be heavy.
Location Within the City
The Ulu Mosque and fountain are right in the middle of Isparta's administrative and historic center. Other historic structures such as Yenihamam (Dalboyunoglu Bath) are nearby, making this area suitable for a short walking route. The Isparta Museum and other mosques in the center are also located at nearby distances.
How Much Time to Allocate
The fountain itself can be visited in 10-15 minutes; the main time is allocated to seeing the mosque as well. Together with the calligraphic decorations, dome and mihrab details inside the mosque, the total visit lasts between 45 minutes to 1 hour. If combined with other historic points in the center of Isparta, a half-day walking route can be created.
Route Suggestion
Starting from the Ulu Mosque and fountain, you can proceed to the nearby Yenihamam (Dalboyunoglu Bath). Then, by adding the Isparta Museum and other historic mosques in the center (such as Abdi Pasha Mosque, Haci Abdi Iplikci Mosque) to the route, a historic structures tour of the city center can be created. The tea garden in the municipal park mentioned in comments is a suitable place for a break.
Where to Stay
The center of Isparta is the closest accommodation option to the fountain. From hotels in the center, it is possible to reach the Ulu Mosque and surrounding historic sites on foot. Check for current accommodation options before going.
Photo Spots
The inscription surrounding all four sides of the fountain offers readable details in close-up shots. The mosque's single minaret and stone facade look good in frames taken from between the plane trees in the garden. In the morning light, the stone texture appears more pronounced.
Things to Note
The fountain was previously in the news due to an incident where it was tampered with using a jackhammer at midnight, damaging its cracks; therefore, it is advisable to be careful when touching the stone and inscription surfaces. During the mosque visit, it is necessary to be respectful to worshippers, remove shoes, and enter with appropriate clothing.
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