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Kastels
The inhabitants of Gaziantep, with temperatures up to 40 ° C in the summer months, collected the water to a certain center (Suburcu) over the channels called “Livas”. The Livas were opened under the ground to prevent the evaporation of the precious water resource available which was then distributed to the city from this center. Houses have been built on livas in order to provide for the water needs; and wells have been drilled from these houses to the livas. These wells not only served to provide for the water needs, but also to prevent foodstuff from spoiling due to the heat. For this, the food was hanged into the well during summer.
Additionally, large cavernous spaces were made at certain levels of the Livas passing under the mosques, which were called "Kastel". These Kastels could be reached by 30-40-step stairs from the surface, and contained toilets, bathing places, resting and ablution places, laundry and wool washing places, and some even had smaller praying rooms (masjid). Kastels have preserved their importance until the date when houses gained access to potable water in a modern sense, and until fountains were built. Since these structures are partially or completely underground, they did not attract much attention and did not take place in art history terminology.
During your visit to Antep, you can visit the Pişirici Kasteli, which has been built by the Mamluks in the 13th century. It is the oldest Kastel of Gaziantep. You can closely examine these worldwide unique architectural structures, that are on the UNESCO's World Heritage Tentative List.
