19th century
Istanbul University, Nadir Eserler Kütüphanesi (Rare Books Library)
Istanbul, Turkey
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.
1852
Zaghwan, Tunisia
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
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.
Map of Beirut's water networks
1873
Khalil Itani's Archive
Beirut, Lebanon
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.
Barbadinhos steam pumping station at the time of its inauguration
1880
Historical Archive, Empresa Portuguesa das Águas Livres (Portuguese Water Company)
Lisbon, Portugal
1896
Ministry of Water and Energy
Beirut, Lebanon
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.
Water pumping equipment in Kağıthane, Istanbul
Beginning of the 20th century
Istanbul University, Nadir Eserler Kütüphanesi (Rare Books Library)
Istanbul, Turkey
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
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.