Photos of the fountain
Fountain on Sultanahmet Square
Fountain on Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul, Turkey
The German Fountain is a commemorative drinking pavilion on the north side of the Hippodrome, at Sultanahmet Square in the historic center of Istanbul. It is within walking distance of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, and serves as a handy landmark and a popular meeting point.
The fountain was a gift to the city from Kaiser Wilhelm II to mark his 1898 visit to Sultan Abdul Hamid II. The structure was made in Germany as a prefabricated construction, shipped to Istanbul and assembled on site. The official opening took place in 1901.
The octagonal kiosk with a dome supported by eight columns is executed in neo-Byzantine motifs. Inside, the dome is decorated with a gold mosaic incorporating Kaiser Wilhelm II's monogram and Sultan Abdul Hamid II's tughra. Originally the fountain served as a public drinking source; today it is a protected historic monument and one of the square's most recognizable features.
Show More
Show Less
The German Fountain is a commemorative drinking pavilion on the north side of the Hippodrome, at Sultanahmet Square in the historic center of Istanbul. It is within walking distance of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, and serves as a handy landmark and a popular meeting point.
The fountain was a gift to the city from Kaiser Wilhelm II to mark his 1898 visit to Sultan Abdul Hamid II. The structure was made in Germany as a prefabricated construction, shipped to Istanbul and assembled on site. The official opening took place in 1901.
The octagonal kiosk with a dome supported by eight columns is executed in neo-Byzantine motifs. Inside, the dome is decorated with a gold mosaic incorporating Kaiser Wilhelm II's monogram and Sultan Abdul Hamid II's tughra. Originally the fountain served as a public drinking source; today it is a protected historic monument and one of the square's most recognizable features.
Admire the mosaics and decorative details.
German Fountain in Sultanahmet - mosaics and arches of the early 20th century
Step under the kiosk's arches to examine the details: the dome's gold mosaic, the monogram with the letter W and the sultan's tughra, and the contrast between the dark stone columns and the pale marble. From the outside the copper dome with its green patina draws the eye - it is clearly visible from various points of the Hippodrome.
The best thing to do at the fountain is a short stop during a walk through the Sultanahmet quarter: photograph the mosaics, study the decorative elements and inscriptions, and take a shot framed by the Hippodrome's arches. Today the fountain is regarded as an architectural monument rather than a functioning public source.
A one- to two-minute walk from here are the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpent Column and the Walled Obelisk on the Hippodrome, as well as Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern and the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum.
The easiest way to get there is by T1 tram to the Sultanahmet stop, then a 3-5 minute walk to the northern edge of the Hippodrome. The site is outdoors and access is free.
Popular Tours
Best tours and travel experiences across the continent
Guided tours, popular attractions, and top-rated hotels across the continent
