Sebilj
The Sebilj is a public fountain in the form of a kiosk in the middle of the market square called Baščaršija in the old town of Sarajevo , the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina .
The name is derived from the Arabic word Sabil (Turkish Sebil , “way”, “journey”), which is used to describe an oriental fountain that was usually built into the outer wall of a mosque in the Ottoman Empire . The design corresponds to a Turkish Çeşme , which, unlike the Sabil, represented an independent construction and was set up in public places in large Ottoman cities.
History and meaning
The Sebilj was a non-profit institution: a special fountain on the market square, where the Sebiljaner (Sebiljedzija) distributed water to travelers free of charge.
The Sebilj in Sarajevo was built in 1891 based on a design by Alexander Wittek or Josip Vančas. The Sebilj, built in 1754 by the Bosnian Vizir Mehmed-paša Kukavica, burned down completely in 1852 and was a little further away from today.
The Sebilj stands today in the middle of the Baščaršija. The former well is known for the constant repositioning of pigeons. Old men sell pigeon feed here.
There is a saying that every traveler who drinks from this fountain will travel to Sarajevo again at some point.
Web links
Coordinates: 43 ° 51 ′ 35 " N , 18 ° 25 ′ 52.4" E