Collections | Great Inventions of the 19th Century | Water: The fount of all life | Water distribution [6 Objects, 2 Monuments]

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Introduction to the Chapter

Istanbul water pipeline map

19th century

Istanbul University, Nadir Eserler Kütüphanesi (Rare Books Library)

Istanbul, Turkey

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 Justification for this item

Cendere Hamidian Water Pump Station provided water for some areas in Istanbul using steam machines. It can be considered the modern counterpart of an ancient tradition of dams and hydraulic works in Ottoman Turkey and as the prosecution of a tradition of water treatment and distribution in the Islamic cities through water reservoirs and fountains.

Istanbul water pipeline map

19th century

Istanbul University, Nadir Eserler Kütüphanesi (Rare Books Library)

Istanbul, Turkey

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Zaghwan aqueduct

1852

Zaghwan, Tunisia

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 Justification for this item

Water distribution for daily use was also one of the great concerns of the reformers in Tunisia. During the government of Muhammad Bey, the ancient aqueduct of Zaghouan was modernised by the French engineer Pierre Colin, with a system of pumps bringing water to Tunis.

Barbadinhos Steam pumping station

Built between 1871 and 1880

Lisbon, Portugal

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 Justification for this item

Pumping stations show interesting parallels across Europe and the Arab and Ottoman world, testimony to how modernisation followed a common path: distant countries with similar approaches to modernity or similar economic activities were reshaped by the globalisation of technology and needs.

Barbadinhos Steam pumping station

Built between 1871 and 1880

Lisbon, Portugal

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Map of Beirut's water networks

1873

Khalil Itani's Archive

Beirut, Lebanon

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 Justification for this item

This map shows the network of water distribution from Nahr el-Kaleb (river) through Beirut. Implemented from 1873 onwards, the Ottoman reform of water distribution in Beirut organised the treatment and distribution of water – an example of the reforms that reshaped urban infrastructure.

Map of Beirut's water networks

1873

Khalil Itani's Archive

Beirut, Lebanon

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Barbadinhos steam pumping station at the time of its inauguration

1880

Historical Archive, Empresa Portuguesa das Águas Livres (Portuguese Water Company)

Lisbon, Portugal

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Barbadinhos steam pumping station at the time of its inauguration

1880

Historical Archive, Empresa Portuguesa das Águas Livres (Portuguese Water Company)

Lisbon, Portugal

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The Beirut water factory

1896

Ministry of Water and Energy

Beirut, Lebanon

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 Justification for this item

Water distribution based on modern technology was implemented in the second half of the 19th century through the reforms issued by the Ottoman sultans. For example in Beirut, water treatment and distribution was organised through the Beirut Water Company in Dbayeh.

The Beirut water factory

1896

Ministry of Water and Energy

Beirut, Lebanon

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Water pumping equipment in Kağıthane, Istanbul

Beginning of the 20th century

Istanbul University, Nadir Eserler Kütüphanesi (Rare Books Library)

Istanbul, Turkey

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 Justification for this item

A photograph from the Yıldız Album of Sultan ‘Abd al-Hamid, showing the steam machines for pumping and distributing water from Cendere Hamidian Water Pump Station to Istanbul. The Yıldız Album is a vast collection of photographs documenting all the technical, educational, social, military and civilian innovations introduced in the Ottoman Empire by Sultan ‘Abd al-Hamid.

Water pumping equipment in Kağıthane, Istanbul

Beginning of the 20th century

Istanbul University, Nadir Eserler Kütüphanesi (Rare Books Library)

Istanbul, Turkey

See Database Entry

Water pumping equipment in Kağıthane, Istanbul

Beginning of the 20th century

Istanbul University, Nadir Eserler Kütüphanesi (Rare Books Library)

Istanbul, Turkey

See Database Entry

 Justification for this item

A photograph from Yıldız Album of Sultan ‘Abd al-Hamid, showing the steam machines for pumping and distributing water from Cendere Hamidian Water Pump Station to Istanbul.

Water pumping equipment in Kağıthane, Istanbul

Beginning of the 20th century

Istanbul University, Nadir Eserler Kütüphanesi (Rare Books Library)

Istanbul, Turkey

See Database Entry

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Introduction to the Chapter