 As
from the Roman aera aqueducts (su
kemeri; with arches) were used
to transport water from the source through valleys to
the cities. During the reign of Suleyman the Great
the ruined water works of the Romans were renovated
and extended.
The aqueduct from the woods near Belgrade to Istanbul
was since then known as the Kirkcesme watersystem. Mimar Sinan
built 33 aqueducts to bring the water to the distribution
network, one of the most important in Ottoman Istanbul.
Some were monumental: the Kovuk Kemer, the Pasa Kemeri,
the Uzun Kemer, the Maglova Kemeri and the Guzelce
Kemer (click on the photograph to obtain more information
about this suject). It is still possible to visit some 4th century Roman aqueducts (some are only partly visible): Valens (Bozdogan) at Istanbul. Built in 368), Ma'zulkemer, Karakemer and Turuncluk.   Aspendos
(47 km of Antalya) was as was Perge an important Roman
city (trading centre). Both
were built on a cliff above the river near the sea.
This was very good for trading and it was reasonably
protected against pirates. Of this aqueduct some parts
can still be visited (see the photographs). For a legend concerning Aspendos, see at legends.
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