Maglova Aqueduct
The Mağlova Aqueduct, also known as the Muallak Aqueduct, is an aqueduct built in Istanbul between 1555 and 1562 by the architect Sinan on the orders of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, over the Alibey Creek valley. Today, it is located near the village of Cebeci, within the boundaries of the Sultangazi district. Although it was damaged by flooding in 1563, it was repaired that same year and restored to its original state. The reservoir water of the Alibeyköy Dam covers a quarter of the structure. The aqueduct continues to carry water to Istanbul.
The structure is considered one of the masterpieces of world water architecture. The aqueduct is 35 meters high and 257 meters long, and it has two levels. There are 8 large openings on the lower level and 8 small openings on the upper level. Four of the arches on the lower level are larger than the others. They are 18.4 meters wide. The four central arches on the upper level are 13.4 meters wide.
Historian Semavi Eyice said of the arch, “Just as the Süleymaniye and Selimiye mosques are in religious architecture, the Mağlova Arch is that important a work in civil architecture. In my opinion, leaving it in the reservoir lake is the greatest crime committed in terms of Turkish art history.” The arch can be seen when the reservoir waters recede.
In 2005, 1,250 Mağlova Arch Commemorative Coins, each worth 20 TL, were minted.
