Water believed to have healing properties is gaining popularity.

The water flowing from the fountain located at an altitude of 1590 meters in the highland in the district of Araç in Kastamonu, believed to have healing properties, is popular among the visitors to the region. The highlands in Araç, Kastamonu, with their natural beauties, vast forested areas, and scenic picnic spots, have become a popular destination for summer tourism. Starting from the district of Araç, along a 58-kilometer route connecting 33 interconnected highlands, the breathtaking view after effective rainfall mesmerizes the onlookers. Visitors to the region enjoy the beauty of nature. The fountain located at an altitude of 1590 meters in Yuvalca Highland, believed to have healing properties and known as ‘Fatma’s Trough,’ attracts attention from the visitors. People visiting the highland collect water from the fountain in bottles to take home. It is believed that the water is beneficial for many diseases, especially kidney disorders.
It is believed that those who drink the water find healing. Hikmet Haberal, an instructor at Kastamonu University Faculty of Tourism, conducting a route study in the region, mentioned that the local people believe a woman who constantly drinks water from the fountain found healing and has been drawing attention from the locals for years. He said, ‘We are in Yuvalca Highland, affiliated with the district of Araç. The distance of the highland from the city center is 16 kilometers. Yuvalca Highland has another unique feature. There is a water tank in the highland called Fatma’s Trough. Years ago, a local lady named Fatma used to come here and drink water constantly. She found healing from this water and used to take water from here to her home every time she visited the highland. The highland is about 1 kilometer away from ‘Fatma’s Trough’ fountain. She used to come here every day with her jugs and collect water. Years later, the residents of the highland built a water tank here in memory of our grandmother Fatma. They named the fountain ‘Fatma’s Trough.’ It is believed that those who drink from this fountain find healing. We never neglect to drink water from this fountain every time we come to the highland.’
‘The water we drank from Fatma’s Trough was clear, cold, and fresh.’ Ahmet Tuğrul Karamustafa, a Research Assistant at the Department of Gastronomy and Culinary Arts at Kastamonu University Faculty of Tourism, stated, ‘We went to the fountain named ‘Fatma’s Trough’ located in the district of Araç together with Instructor Hikmet Haberal, due to the specialization of Kastamonu University in Forestry and Nature Tourism. We were conducting route planning in the highlands. During this time, we noticed a trough called Fatma’s Trough in the highland. The reason it is called Fatma’s Trough fountain is because Fatma Hanım, a local resident in that area, used to drink water from there, and over time, a fountain was built in that area in her memory. Local residents shared this information with us. The water we drank from Fatma’s Trough was clear, cold, and fresh, so it was very nice.’