Ottoman Fountain of Nea Presos

One of the apotropaic symbols carved on the facade of the Ottoman fount of Vavelli (Praisos) was the hexagram.

It consists of intersecting triangles and a vegetative decorative motif between the outer sides of the triangles. The hexagram is also known as the Seal of Solomon [Mühr-ü Süleyman], who, for the muslims, is considered a prophet and a grand miracle worker.

The main fount from which the Ottoman's of Vavelli got their water, is embossed with various decorative elements, which are also found on other ottoman founts of the countryside, and which function as evil-deterring symbols, i.e. as symbols that help remove the influence of evil that threatens to pollute the water.

On the central motif of the hexagram-bearing fount of Vavelli, we find a vegetative motif, which reminds one of palm-tree leaves, between the outer sides of the triangles.

Source: Errikos Skouloudis

Translated and edited by: Yallou