It is remarkable that there is a growing interest in cisterns seen in many parts of Anatolia in recent times. Another issue that comes to mind because of the interest is how to protect these structures. However, before that, we shall dwell on the historical, architectural and artistic features of those structures, which are rare examples of our water architecture and make clear what importance they have and why they need to be protected.

The cisterns, which are usually located in rural areas and sometimes are found around ethnic environments, should definitely be evaluated on the basis of historical artefacts. Over time, as water was brought into the houses and near the fields by various facilities, the cisterns began to lose their function. These cisterns, used about 40 years ago, were very important artefacts that met a need and built not only for people but also for the use of the animal's drinking water from the troughs, which were in the front of the doors and unfortunately only some are still standing in the present day. Therefore, constant maintenance needed to be done and perhaps even they had to be rebuilt where they were located. This situation has brought about constant renewal and change. Let us add that the cisterns have been water facilities. If the critical interventions such as repair and material replacement were not carried out on time, the deformation occurring within the structure could cause the accumulated water to destroy the structure much more quickly. The applications of cisterns both in building materials and architectural arrangements that we may say they are new should be considered from this aspect. Thus, it should be beared in mind that the first construction dates of those structures resisting the destruction that occurs over time and standing go back a long way.

We had mentioned in the previous issue that the cisterns could have epitaphs of building or restoration at their entrance gates, probably one of the oldest examples is the one, which is located in Turk Kuyusu region of Bodrum built in 1775-1776 (in 1189 according to the Hegira calendar). In addition, in Ortakent, Gumbet, Mumcular, Yaliciftlik, Yalikavak, Camici, Gurece, Pinarbelen and Torba, some cisterns, which are witnesses of 100-200 years of history, are still around. However, as I noted above, these dates give the year of reconstruction or repair; therefore, the first construction dates may be much older. It is also understood from the epitaphs of the cisterns remaining today that these structures had been built by wealthy people or by the collaboration of the local people. The modern epitaphs, which have words written using Latin letters, show that this tradition continued long after.

As architectural fictions, the cisterns show two different arrangements, rectangular and circular, dome-covered and circle-shaped cisterns are more common than rectangular cisterns covered with cradle vaults. After entering from the door that opens out, a ladder is made into the structures. The reason is quite simple; the door will be upstairs so the water will accumulate inside. In order to prevent rainwater from flowing out, while the grooves in the skirt of the dome height were going around the siding; the rainwater was poured into the interior from the apertures. When you enter the cisterns, a pile of water reaching a certain height is an indication of how efficient the system is and how it is still working.

Due to the unconsciously and constantly raising of the roads around, it is necessary to rescue these structures, some of which has been in the low ground or buried or has collapsed domes or cracks on the walls, greens rising on the walls and the domes, from desolateness and neglect. In fact, there is no need to allocate high budgets for this. The life of most of the cisterns can be increased with simple measures. In order to achieve that, it seems to be the shortest way is that the Protection, Implementation and Supervision Offices, which are authorised for simple repairs in municipalities, prepare a work plan and provide the maintenance and repair of the cisterns in this direction in coordination with the Protection Boards. Within these cistern projects requiring deep-rooted restoration can be prepared with low budget and restorations can be implemented. Therefore in terms of architecture and material properties and applications, cistern project budget will not reach high numbers. Besides, in order to protect the cisterns, it is necessary in terms of continuity that the support of the people must be taken today as in history and even their participation in these activities must be ensured while the maintenance, repairs or the detailed projects of the structures are being made.