The legendary story of Taşkent (Pirlerkondu) Sultan Water

In the district of Taşkent (formerly known as Pirlerkondu), at the foothills of Erenler Hill, beneath steep rocks lies the Sultan Water or Sultan Spring Fountain, which has gained fame among the people with a legendary story attributed to the Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad. 

During my visit to Taşkent, when I drank water from the Sultan Fountain and heard this legendary tale, I once again deeply believed in the grace, sincerity, and heartfelt nature of the Anatolian people. 

According to the legend, Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad came to Taşkent (Pirlerkondu) due to a border dispute between him and the Bey of Alanya. Arriving alone, tired, sweaty, and thirsty, he reached the fountain where a simple village girl—pure as the mountain flowers—offered him water. To enhance the taste and coolness of the water, the girl dropped a few pine needles into the cup. When the Sultan did not understand this, he poured the water out. But the girl refilled it and again added pine needles before offering it. When the Sultan asked why, she replied, “My lord, you are sweaty. The pine needle gives the water a pleasant scent. Because of the needles, you drink slowly and filtered. That way, it will not make you ill.” 

The Sultan asked the girl her name, but out of modesty she answered, “My name has been given to a brave man; forgive my flaw.” The Sultan said, “I am the Sultan of the Seljuks; Make your wish whatever you want.” When the girl realized that the mighty warrior on the dark horse was indeed the Sultan, she was astonished, immediately stood up, and kissed the silver stirrups of his horse, saying, “My Sultan, I ask for your health.” When Alaeddin Keykubad insisted, she voiced her wish: for the welfare of the people, and especially that no taxes be taken from the cloth they wove. Upon this, the Sultan uttered what became a prayer: May your beauties never fade, May your pine trees never wither, May your waters never lose their warmth, And may no tax ever be  taken from your clothes.

He then issued a decree containing these wishes. According to the legend, after this event the pine trees in Taşkent never withered, the water always remained cool, and the fountain never dried up—thus it came to be known as Sultan Water. This legend symbolizes values such as bravery, humility, hospitality, and justice in Anatolia. It is also a narrative that strengthens Taşkent’s cultural heritage. Today, the Sultan Water statue and fountain in the region continue to keep this story alive as important symbols. The fountain, believed to have been built during the Seljuk period and renovated several times, was last rebuilt by the Taşkent Municipality in 1998 with a more majestic design featuring three facades and pointed arches. Additionally, next to the fountain where the legend is believed to have taken place, a monument depicting Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad on horseback and the girl offering him water has been built.