Aga’s Fountain [η βρύση του Αγά]
This unexplored public fountain, placed on the north slopes of Profìtis Elìas mountain in Santorini, quite close to the 11th century Byzantine church of Panagìa Episkopì [Παναγία Επισκοπή], represents one of the very few Ottoman monuments on the island, still unrevealed and quite difficult to reach.
According to archaeologist Maya Efstathiou, from the Cyclades Ephorate of Antiquities, the fountain was built by an Ottoman Voivode [Βοεβόδα] for communal use, a customary deed for muslims, that has established public fountains as a widespread ottoman heritage across the empire. The exact construction date is not known, however the fountain predates the Greek Revolution of 1821-1828, since Santorini has declared its independence from the empire on May 1821, while its presence is also confirmed by the Jesuit abbot Pègues in 1842.
The fountain comprises of a two storey impressive construction that is placed inside the ravine on the slopes of the mountain, which supplied it with fresh water. The whole construction of the fountain also includes a 70 metre long dry stone walled channel, that provided water to the small plots of land surrounding the overall area. Long after its construction and during 1880, the fountain was renovated by Mr. Nikolaos Argyros, proprietor, evident by the carved inscription [Η κρήνη αυτή ανεκηνίσθη υπό Νικολάου Αργυρού, ιδιοκτήτου εν Θήρα 1880].
Despite its communal character, the fountain does not seem to have provided large quantities of water, necessary for agricultural use. Its seasonal and not constantly flowing character would probably water only a small recreational garden for public or private use.
Today the fountain has been forgotten and unappreciated, in contrast to the other two main and renowned springs of Santorini: Zoodochos Pigi [Ζωοδόχος Πηγή] and Katefiani [Κατεφιανή], both on the slopes of Profìtis Elìas mountain. This oblivion is mostly stemming from the fact that the fountain has lost its communal and public character for more than a century, and as the above mentioned inscription reveals it has become a private property, which now-a-days lays nearly in ruins and direpair.
All information included above have been extracted from the very recent edition: “Santorini & Revolution 1821” published by Kallisti Publications, the Theran Society and the Santorini Archive Project. The coordination and the overall curation of the publication has been carried out by Mr. Lefteris Zorzos.