Photos of the German Fountain
German Fountain (Alman Çeşmesi)
German Fountain - Istanbul, Turkey
The German Fountain (Alman Çeşmesi) is a commemorative pavilion fountain on Sultanahmet Square in the Fatih district, next to the mausoleum of Sultan Ahmed I.
It was donated by Germany to the Ottoman Empire to commemorate Kaiser Wilhelm II's visit in 1898. The design was prepared by the German architect Spitta, and execution was overseen by the architect Schoele. The fountain was manufactured in Germany, shipped in parts and assembled in Istanbul; the official opening took place on January 27, 1901, the Kaiser's birthday.
The structure is built in a neo-Byzantine style: an octagonal plan, eight arches on columns, and a dome lined inside with gold mosaic. It is a notable historical spot in Sultanahmet and a convenient place to start a walk around the former Hippodrome of Constantinople.
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The German Fountain (Alman Çeşmesi) is a commemorative pavilion fountain on Sultanahmet Square in the Fatih district, next to the mausoleum of Sultan Ahmed I.
It was donated by Germany to the Ottoman Empire to commemorate Kaiser Wilhelm II's visit in 1898. The design was prepared by the German architect Spitta, and execution was overseen by the architect Schoele. The fountain was manufactured in Germany, shipped in parts and assembled in Istanbul; the official opening took place on January 27, 1901, the Kaiser's birthday.
The structure is built in a neo-Byzantine style: an octagonal plan, eight arches on columns, and a dome lined inside with gold mosaic. It is a notable historical spot in Sultanahmet and a convenient place to start a walk around the former Hippodrome of Constantinople.
See the mosaics, columns and monograms.
Golden dome and the sultan's and kaiser's monograms
Under the dome you can easily make out eight medallions with the interlaced initials of Wilhelm II and the tughra of Sultan Abdul Hamid II. Columns of dark green stone with bronze capitals support the arches, and the interior mosaic with a gold background is clearly visible in daylight.
Here you can take close-up shots of the mosaic and decorative details, listen to the sound of the water, and rest while walking across the square. Nearby are Hagia Sophia, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, the Egyptian Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpent Column, and the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts.
The fountain stands in the northern part of Sultanahmet Square, is accessible 24 hours a day as part of the public square, and does not require a ticket to visit. The easiest way to get there is by tram line T1 to the Sultanahmet stop, then a 2-3 minute walk across the square to the fountain.
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