“A marvel of Ottoman engineering” That’s what the locals call the Valide Dam. We stand before it now a testament to a bygone era.
The Valide Dam isn’t just a dam. It’s a piece of Istanbul’s history. Built in 1796 by Sultan Selim III it served a special purpose. It provided water for the charitable endowments of his mother Mihrimah Sultan. She held the prestigious title of Valide Sultan.
This impressive structure impounds Ayazafa Creek. The creek is a tributary of the larger Acikelma Creek. The dam’s catchment area spans 1.825 square kilometers. That’s quite a large area for water collection.
The Valide Dam is a solid gravity dam. It’s constructed of masonry. The crest and waterside wall are elegantly covered in marble. For extra stability two buttresses reinforce the structure. They are positioned 6.3 meters apart at the base.
The dam stands tall at 11.25 meters high from the thalweg. It stretches 103.9 meters long at its crest. The crest is 4.72 meters wide. The base is slightly broader at 6.3 meters. This solid construction ensured a reservoir capacity of 255000 cubic meters of water. A substantial amount for that time period.
Imagine the bustling activity during its construction. Craftsmen skilled masons and laborers toiled to bring this project to life. The dam represents more than just water management. It reflects the power and resources of the Ottoman Empire.
Today the Valide Dam sits within Bentler Nature Park. The park is a part of the larger Belgrad Forest. The serene surroundings provide a contrast to its historical importance. It’s a place of both natural beauty and historical significance. The Valide Dam stands as a silent guardian. A sentinel overlooking the past and present.