German Fountain – Monumental Building in Istanbul Fatih
The German fountain is one of the historical and monumental structures in Fatih, Istanbul. The German fountain, located close to the Sultanahmet square, attracts everyone’s attention with its appearance. German Emperor II. It was gifted to the Ottoman Empire by Wilhelm. The fountain, which was built in Germany, was brought to Istanbul in 1901 and placed in its place in Sultanahmet Square.
In the Ottoman period, especially after the 17th century, the square fountains were built for the benefit of the people. The German Fountain is the gift of the political rapprochement between the German Empire and the Ottoman Empire.
About the German Fountain
German Emperor II. Wilhelm made visits to Istanbul in different periods. In the first of these visits, he agreed to sell and use German rifles to the Ottoman Army. II. In Wilhelm’s next visit, it was agreed that the railway line planned to be built between Istanbul and Baghdad would be built by German companies.
In return for these commercial agreements between the German Empire and the Ottoman Empire, this fountain was given as a gift, apparently as a sign of goodwill. The German Fountain, which means thanks by Germany, is interpreted as preparing the ground for new agreements.
The fountain, whose construction started in 1899, was completed in a year. The fountain, which was brought to Istanbul from Germany in 1901, was placed in the old Atmeydanı, which was a hippodrome during the Byzantine period.
The fountain, all expenses covered by the German Empire, was decided to be opened on the 25th anniversary of Abdulhamid II’s accession to the throne, that is, on September 1, 1900. The opening date of the German Fountain also coincided with the birthday of Emperor Wilhelm.
